The holidays are officially here! And unfortunately for many people it’s the time of year they end up exhausted, run-down, and ultimately fighting the flu or a cold. However, you can stay healthy and vibrant this holiday season by following my favorite tips!
- Plan ahead– If you’re going to someone’s house, ask if you can bring a dish. By bringing your own healthy dish you are guaranteeing at least one dish you can eat guilt-free. Most hosts won’t turn you down! Need some healthy ideas? Ask me about my favorites! And what if you’re going out to a restaurant? Check out the menu ahead of time online so you’re ready to order when you get there. Stick with lean protein and veggies to be safe. And my bonus tip, eat a little something before you go. My favorite is a smoothie with 1/2 serving of protein powder and lots of veggies because it’s filling and nutrient-dense.
- Keep healthy snacks on hand- Beef jerky, raw nuts or seeds, nut butter packets, low-sugar protein bars. You can find a lot of my favorites at ThriveMarket.com – a website that offers organic, non-GMO food for a reasonable price. Use this link for 25% off your first order. ALWAYS keep a healthy snack in your purse or car. You don’t want to hit a blood sugar crash with nothing but unhealthy food around.
- Watch out for the extra sugar- Did you know sugar consumption lowers immune function in your body? There’s a reason why so many people get sick between Halloween and Valentine’s Day! Just a few bites of sugar can practically shut down your immune system for hours. Avoid sugary treats as much as possible, and if you know you can’t turn down your Grandmother’s famous pumpkin pie, skip the carbs (potatoes, bread, pasta) at dinner because these all turn into sugar causing an insane blood sugar spike.
- Choose your drinks wisely- If you’re going to imbibe a little bit, be smart about it. I’m sorry to say but beer is one of the worst things you can drink due to the carbs, gluten, wheat, sugar and carbonation- yikes! Wine can be a healthy choice if you know what to look for. A few keywords when shopping for a bottle of wine… organic, biodynamic, low-sulfites, low-sugar… and two amazing companies that have done all of the work for you are Dry Farm Wines (online) and FitVine Wine (check out the store locator here). Prefer liquor? Stick with vodka, gin or tequila, if possible, and mix it with sparkling water or club soda (not tonic water which is loaded with sugar!). For a little extra flavor, squeeze in some fresh lime juice.
- Sleep- If you don’t make time for sleep, your body will get run down and force you to sleep by getting sick. Who has time to be sick?! Plus, sleep detoxes your brain, regulates your hunger hormones and energizes your body for the next day. Get at least 7 hours of sleep each night and bonus points if you can get 8-9 hours.
- My go-to remedies- We all need an extra immune boost this time of year to offset traveling, sneaky sugar, late nights, extra stress, and less sunlight exposure. During this time of year I take 5,000IU of vitamin D, 500mg of Vitamin C, Colloidal Silver, immune-boosting mushrooms like Reishi Mushroom, and Probiotics every day. Want help with a personalized plan? Just ask me!
- Keep moving– I’m not saying go run a marathon on Thanksgiving or get in those 6am CrossFit workouts every day… just keep moving! An easy 20-minute walk after a meal can do amazing things for your mood, blood sugar levels and waistline. It’s no wonder Italians go for a passeggiata (a leisurely walk or stroll) after dinner. It has incredible health benefits! Plus, something else to keep in mind is that if you’re sleep-deprived and/or stressed, a high-intensity workout is the last thing you need. Go for a walk, do some yoga or take a nap.
I want to wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving week with your loved ones and safe travels!
