STAYING HEALTHY DURING SPECIAL OCCASIONS

Special occasions are generally filled with family, friends, and food. Here are a few tips to help you enjoy the holidays in a balanced way!

1. Choose a healthy alternative. Eating healthy year-round, even during special occasions and the holidays, can be done. Eating healthy does not mean you have to give up the foods you enjoy most. There are simple swaps you can make with healthier alternatives. Dashing Dish recipes help you swap out ingredients while still keeping your mind and stomach satisfied.

2. Pick and choose your treats. Special occasions are often celebrated with food and treats. There is nothing wrong with enjoying some of your favorite foods, but do it in moderation. Choose what you want to splurge on and savor every bite!

3. Be prepared. One way to prevent overeating is by eating small, frequent meals throughout the day and having a protein snack before heading off to parties or celebrations. When you sit down to eat a meal, you will be able to properly pay attention to your body’s hunger cues because you won’t be overly famished to begin with.

4. The party is about more than what is on your plate. Food is an element of a celebration, but not the defining factor or the most important part. If you keep this in mind when you’re on your way to a party, you can remind yourself that spending time with family and friends is the highlight of the event. This helps take the focus off the food and puts it back on the things that matter most.

5. It’s okay to say no. During special occasions and holidays, many people are giving treats away as gifts or offering food as a gesture of love. It is okay to be honest and politely say, “No, thank you.” Most people will respect you when you graciously say no. This allows you to say yes to the things you truly do enjoy!

6. Bring your own dish to pass. If you bring your own dish to pass, you can offer something that is tasty and healthy! The Dashing Dish Cookbook is filled with options that are great to bring to a celebration or get-together. These recipes are just as rich and delicious as the traditional dishes, so no one will even know it is healthy until you tell them!

7. Learn to bounce back. I find that one of the greatest downfalls when it comes to overeating during a special occasion is that it sets most people on a dangerous slippery slope. If you do overeat or make bad choices, don’t make the mistake of giving up or feeling guilty. Remember, it is not one meal that will make you unhealthy, so don’t let it get you in a defeated mind-set! Just make the simple choice to bounce back. Start the next day by being active and get right back on track with a healthy lifestyle.