Sue's Blog

Tuesday, 12/11/12 - 7 Ways to survive the holidays.....

Is it easy for you to allow the holidays to derail your gluten free and healthy eating habits? Being surrounded by the ones we love with dozens of delicious sweet and savory treats that are calling out our name can often make us feel really tempted!  Here’s a few ways to keep on track during the holiday season:

1.    Prepare your own gluten-free dish and bring it along for your friends and family to try! Do not tell them its gluten free!  After they taste your dish and are complimenting you on how deliciously tasty it is then feel free to tell them its gluten free and watch their expression!   It’s usually something like WOW? Really?!  THIS is gluten free?

2.    Focus on what you can eat, not what you can’t! Many holiday functions are filled with meats and vegetables such as turkey and green beans. Focus on what you can fill your plate with!  My husband and I are attending a holiday party this year at a Mexican restaurant. I’m also off all grains including rice and corn so you can imagine!  I let them know ahead of time so there's no fuss during the order taking... my preference is grilled fish with veggies and black beans.

3.    Bring along a few sparkling mineral waters ( I love Mexican Topo Chicos) for the holidays if you’re not drinking alcohol so you can still enjoy a toast with your loved ones. Sparkling water garnished with lemon, lime or a few berries still gives that same festive feel of drinking an alcoholic beverage!

4.    Bring a fruity dessert. Instead of eating all those sugary carbohydrates such as pecan pie and Christmas cookies bring a torte filled with fruits and nuts or some fruit topped with whipped cream. Trust me; you’ll feel so much better the next day! 

5.   Go for a brisk walk after dinner. My husband and I love taking a brisk walk after Christmas dinner to help our food digest more quickly.   We feel so much better too when we’ve not stuffed ourselves so much and then we may not be able to walk!  We also eat less and have something again about 3 hours later.  We spread it out!  Makes a real difference in how we feel the next day. 

6. Focus more on moderation instead of thinking or saying I'm getting back on my diet AFTER the holidays!  This will only make you feel guilty.   For me, gluten free living is a life style.  It's a must and no matter what day of the year it is, I've got to eat this way or be in pain for weeks. 

7. Stay positive, focused and most of all have fun and enjoy the holidays! 

If you are following a Gluten Free or any other special Eating Program this holiday season hope these tips have given you some great ideas to enjoy the holiday season!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Gluten Free Lady

Before you go, be sure to check out these delicious and healthy holiday recipes and BYODish to bring to your holiday parties!   Gluten Free isn’t about tofu! 

Click Here for Holiday Recipes

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