With the holidays on us, maybe your intermittent fasting schedule isn’t as rigorous as it once was. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, because social connection is a very important part of a healthy diet, especially in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.
If your intermittent fasting plan has been going well, the holidays need not be a setback. Even if they slow or stall your progress, you can resume a steady schedule soon and meet your goals. Stress and guilt can cause more problems than an extra cookie. How can one minimize the damage and still really have fun?
- Watch the drinks. Drinks like eggnog are among the most calorie-laden foods ever created. If you’re making eggnog, cut the sugar and sweeten it to your taste. Alternate low-cal drinks like plain coffee with the rich ones, so you don’t fill up or quench your thirst with the latter.
- Alcoholic drinks can add up quickly, so staying with low-calorie options, such as vodka + seltzer, can spare your body a lot of calories and spare you a lot of recovery effort later. Some drinks, such as gin and tonic, look and feel light, but the tonic water has as much sugar as a regular cola drink.
- Filling up on healthy choices before going to a party with rich hors d’oeuvres may help.
- Whether you’re a host or guest, you can look for lower-calorie options. If you’re snacking, start with watery foods (pickles, cucumber slices, celery, carrot sticks) or airy foods (air-popped popcorn, rice cakes) so you’re not filling up on the most calorie-dense foods first.
- Put non-favorites on your plate. Choose some foods you don’t particularly like. You’ll eat them more slowly, and probably eat fewer calories’ worth. You may find some pleasant surprises, and keep the fruitcake from going to waste (or waist).
- Eat the items you know you’re going to have and eat them first. Yes, this is license to eat dessert first, so you’re not squeezing it in on top of everything else later.
What are your plans for managing your holiday faves?
