Healthy Eating for New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day

Healthy Eating for New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day

To top off a time of year so focused on eating, starting with Thanksgiving, rncarrying all the way through the entire month of December, and culminating in rnChristmas Eve and Christmas Day, there’s still one final hurdle to overcome: New rnYear’s. And not just New Year’s day, but New Year’s Eve as well. If you’re rndreading having to find ways to keep your healthy eating in tact, not to fear! rnFollow these helpful tips to get you through the last couple days of the year rnwithout ruining your healthy eating dedication or, at the very least, rnkick-starting your year off on a healthy foot.

Consider Throwing the Parties Yourself
If you really want the ultimate control over what foods are available for eating rnand snacking, consider throwing the parties yourself. This will allow you to set rnthe entire tone of the food and give you liberty to select a cuisine type or rnmenu tailored specifically to what you want to eat or at least know that you rnwon’t struggle with not eating. Opt for a food type like Mexican, where you can rnload up on lots of veggies and black beans for fiber and protein. Skip the taco rnshells, cheese and sour cream and you should have freedom to eat everything rnelse. Have a salad bar! Ask everyone to bring a salad and just do munchy salads. rnMake sure there are veggie trays galore. For sides and dips, use plain Greek rnyogurt in lieu of sour cream. Not only is it fat free, it’s packed with protein. rnThrow in a ranch packet or some dill and you’re good to go! For fruit trays, you rncan use Greek yogurt dips sweetened with a touch of Stevia (all natural, rncalorie-free sweetener) and a hint of vanilla extract.

Bring the Goodies You’ll Eat
If you’re not hosting the party and are guaranteed to find yourself in a party rnor dinner atmosphere surrounded by foods that will tempt you, bring your own “goodies” that you can eat. Fruit and vegetables should always be your first rnoptions, but you can also splurge on dishes that are a treat to you but still rnhealthier than what else is guaranteed to be on display, which will leave you rnfeeling less deprived. You could make some brownies using applesauce instead of rnsugar and oil and pack them with nuts for good fiber and fat. Make your own rnwhole wheat pita chips by slicing up whole grain pitas and baking with a touch rnof olive oil and sea salt. You can dip them in salsa or hummus for a kick.

Arrive Well Prepared
You should never arrive at a party feeling hungry or stressed or overwhelmed. rnAll of these can ruin your dedication to healthy eating for the night/day. Make rnsure to eat well throughout the day. Eat plenty of good for you fats, like those rnfound in almonds and avocados. It’ll quench your urges to delve into the caramel rncorn and Chex mix. Drink plenty of water and drink green tea to keep you feeling rnfull and satisfied. If you’re feeling stressed, take some time and find a way to rncalm down and relax. It might make you late, but that’s okay. Play some relaxing rnmusic. Sit down and just breathe. Pet your dog. Whatever it takes. Leave when rnyou’re feeling like yourself and when you feel like you’re in control of your rnthoughts and emotions.

Set Limits
If you’re going to indulge or you plan on drinking, set yourself limits before rnyou go. This will avoid the question of how much you have. When the options are rnunlimited, we will tend to waver and give in during the moment. But if two rndrinks is max, when the third is offered, we won’t have to “decide.” It will rnalready have been decided. The same works with foods you know are simply rnirresistible. We all have our “trigger” foods, which if we eat one of, we know rnwe won’t stop till we’ve had 10. Make a list of the foods you simply will not rntouch under any circumstances, and then if they happen to appear at the party or rnduring the football game, you’ll already know that you’ve chosen to avoid them. rnYou’ll have yourself the over-eating that could’ve potentially came. It’s just rnnot worth it.

Focus on the Reason: Your Health
When you’re feeling most tempted to indulge in foods that at any other time of rnyear, you wouldn’t think twice about putting into your body, the key is to rnremember why you’re doing it: your health. Everything else can be talked out of. rnYou don’t “mind” gaining half a pound so you’ll eat that cream cheese cookie. rnYou don’t “mind” a little sugar buzz. But, you do mind putting foods into your rnbody that do not nourish it. Focusing on your health will power you through any rnparty and any appetizer bar!

Image via: Eat Live Run.