5 Tips for Staying Healthy at Holiday Parties

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December 20, 2012

As the holiday season is among us, you may be attending more social get-togethers than in months past.  I’ve been to many holiday parties lately, and even have our company party tonight!  Although you’ll be wining and dining a lot more, that doesn’t mean that you have to through your healthy lifestyle out the window!  Here are my top 5 tips to staying healthy at holiday parties. 

Please note:  I am not a nutritionist, dietitian or a medical doctor.  These are the tips that have worked for me during the holiday season.

1.  Limit yourself to one drink.  I know you’re probably thinking… I want to get drunk!  It’s the holidays!  That’s fine every once in a while, but if you’re going to multiple holiday parties it may make more sense to limit your alcohol consumption – therefore cutting out hundreds of calories.  Another tip: skip any sugary mixers!

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2.  Go for the fresh fruits and veggie platters.  Holiday parties can be the ultimate test of your willpower.  Cookies, cakes, candy canes galore more than likely will show up at the next gathering you attend.  Having a cookie isn’t going to kill your diet, but if you know that you can’t just have a few go straight for the fruit and veggie platter.  Loading up on these early in the night will minimize your chance of binging on sweets later on.  Be careful of heavy milk based dips or sauces.  I personally like balsamic vinaigrette or hummus!

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3.  Please don’t drink and drive.  I know this is a given, but some people still take part in drinking and driving and put not only themselves at risk, but everyone else on the roads.  This goes back to tip #1.  If you know you are the designated driver, make sure you only have one drink early in the night to give yourself enough time to get food into your system.

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4.  Stay hydrated.  Of course it’s important to drink water all year round, but during the holidays it’s especially important.  Drinking enough water is key to waking up feeling like a queen (or king)!  If you do end up drinking a bit more than you anticipated, make sure to drink at least two large glasses of water before going to bed. 

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5.  Bring a healthy dessert to the party.  You’ll be a good party guest and also provide you with a safe alternative to the buttery cakes and cookies later.  There are many dessert recipes online that are healthy!  I for one love Julie’s 2 ingredient pumpkin cookies.  They are to die for.  You must make them.

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Talk to Me

  • What do you do to stay healthy during the holiday season?
  • Do you typically let loose around the holidays or do you stick to your current healthy lifestyle?
  • What’s your favorite healthy dessert during the holidays?
Comments ▼
Chelsea @ LittleOneRuns

i usually stick to what i’m alread eating and don’t venture too far from it. staying hydrated really does help a lot! my “healthy” dessert is usually just ice cream lol

Helpful tips! I’ll be trying to heed your advice tomorrow at an all-day party!

I take lots of Vitamin D & Quercetin to stay healthy during the holidays and I drink lots of hot tea! 🙂 My favorite is being in a robe, snuggie slippers, sipping hot tea and watching snow fall!! I will get that when I go home for the holidays this Sunday!

BY FAR my favorite “dessert” for the holidays is Roasted Butternut Squash with Cinnamon! I am a very healthy eater, and this stuff is like HEAVEN to me! 🙂

Great tips! I hope you have a Happy Holiday!