The holidays are right around the corner. With the holidays comes to holiday meals and your favourite holiday foods. A smorgasbord of delicious holiday temptation. It is no secret that the holidays are the hardest time to stay on track with a diet. It’s no wonder that so many people start with the new year. Instead of losing track of where you are and where you’re going with your diet here are sometimes to help you stay on track and true to your diet.

Fill Up On Meats and Vegetables

Protein and fat are the two most filling macronutrients, so by focusing on meats, you will fill up faster, for longer. Add in the fibre in the vegetables, and you’ve got a match made in heaven. Plus, you know, vegetables.

To enjoy your meal, without feeling like you missing out or blowing your diet,  fill two-thirds of your plate with meat and veggies, focusing on meat when you can.  – Keeping in mind that turkey is very lean, especially in comparison to other holiday foods.  – The rest of your plate should be carbs.

Use a Smaller Plate

This isn’t a new trick. In fact, it might just be the oldest trick in the book. the theory being that the smaller plates make the portions look bigger; and a visa-vera. Buy using s smaller plate you think you’re eating larger portions than you would on a larger plate. It doesn’t work for everyone, but it’s worth a shot.

Drink Water

This is probably the second oldest trick in the book. Before your meals drink a glass of water. Better yet, follow each plate with a glass of water. This will help fill your stomach without overeating. Thirst is often confused with hunger and by increasing your water intake you prevent any potentially confusing dehydration.

Dessert

Who doesn’t like pumpkin pie?  But just because it’s the holidays doesn’t mean its okay to inhale an entire pie.  One piece, topped however you want, eaten slowly will satisfy your cravings. Whatever your favourite holiday dessert is. Because eating half a pie to yourself seems like a great idea, until you’re finished.

Exercise

I know nobody wants to actually exercise on the day of a feast, but you really want to get the most out of your mean and maybe get some gains in, throw in some exercise. By doing some HIIT for a half hour, your muscles will be ready to take full advantage of your incoming nutrients. Finish your workout a half hour before dinner time, grab a quick shower and ready to make this meal work for you.

Enjoy the Holiday Foods

Not everyone will agree with this but the holidays are a time to spend quality time with your loved ones.  If that means going off your diet for one day then enjoy it. You’re going to have a much more enjoyable time if you’re not stressing out about what you can, or what you should eat. If you deny yourself, you’re setting yourself up for a bigger derailment later on. Plus, you can always make it up in the gym later.

At the end of the day the holidays, be it Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter or any other holiday you may celebrate,  are meant for enjoying. Food is a big part of that in our culture, but family is as well. Spend your time together while you have it. Hopefully, these tips help you to enjoy yourself, and the food.