December is always full of good intentions. We usually promise to eat less throughout the month, drink less, and go out less. And then we end up caught in a whirlwind of snacks, work dinners, and drinks with friends from the neighbourhood, school, work, and even the company where we once had an internship. We don’t pretend to organise your calendar in this post or give you a list of believable excuses for not going out. But we will give you some easy-to-follow tips for enjoying a healthy Christmas. That’s certainly easier than starting January with 10,000 steps a day, that’s for sure.
Why do you want (and need) a healthy Christmas?
Christmas is actually a good moment to look back at the way we ate during the year. Eating healthy should be normal, not something that you think about every time you eat. It would help us stop worrying about the scales and feel better both physically and mentally. But it would be a mistake to think that you won’t eat a bit more at Christmas than usual, especially sugar, let’s face it.
Eating sugar regularly increases your blood glucose levels. Too much of it may lead to diabetes, obesity, or arteriosclerosis (that is not the name of a punk band, but a serious condition). Eating too much fat—surprise—takes us to the same place, via the motorway of heart disease. And you may simply feel worse in your everyday life; no need to go further. Your body needs ‘gasolina,’ like the reggaeton song, yes, but you are the one who can regulate what type and how much to ensure healthier eating, particularly when the holidays arrive.
Sweets and sugar
You will likely eat more sweets this December than during the other eleven months. But instead of finishing an Advent calendar every week, try to save Christmas treats for special days. That means not taking a little piece of nougat every day from that tray filled with sugared almonds and other tempting things. Try what you want, but with a bit of control. There are even sugar-free versions of the traditional Christmas sweets. Even panettone probably has a sugar-free option. Remember, many sweeteners can be just as harmful as sugar itself, and anyway, they are still high in calories.
On the other hand, if you have the time and feel like spending an afternoon in the kitchen, which is quite appealing in winter, homemade baking will always be healthier than industrial products. Many desserts can be adapted by reducing the amount of sugar in the original recipe or by replacing it with natural sweeteners, such as banana, apple, cinnamon or a healthier choice like date or coconut sugar. These flavours can help you forget that your cupcakes, for example, might be lacking chocolate.
Drinks: alcohol and soft drinks
We’re all grown-ups now: you already know the consequences of drinking too much alcohol, whether it hits you the following morning or just minutes later, depending on how fast things are going at your work Christmas dinner. If you are going to drink, try to make your glass last as long as possible, whatever the drink may be (except water). Turning a family meal or a friendly get-together into a bad experience isn’t worth it, for neither you nor others. And if you realise you use alcohol to hide certain emotions, well, perhaps it’s time to look for more practical solutions, such as skipping the event or learning to manage those emotions, for example, with the help of a mental health professional, instead of using alcohol. This isn’t the 1980s anymore.
There is little to say about soft drinks, except that drinking them every day is linked to diabetes and, once again, obesity. Having one occasionally doesn’t hurt anyone and won’t spoil your plan for a healthy Christmas time. But if you notice that they’re with you every day in December, hit the brakes. Choose healthier alternatives, such as homemade infused water, sparkling water if you enjoy the bubbles, warm herbal teas, or fizzy drinks with minimal sugar and sweeteners —they do exist.
High-calorie meals
One way to reduce the overwhelming calorie load of festive dishes is to modify the cooking method. The oven is your bestie here. No matter what kind of dish you want to prepare, there is probably a function in the oven to help you get the results you are looking for. If you need crispy results, consider air fryer options for oil-free dishes for a different, healthy Christmas. If you want to retain nutrients and all the original flavours of your dishes, consider cooking meat, fish, or vegetables with the steam function — the healthiest method to enhance their taste.
Vegetables on the table
Vegetables at Christmas: the guest nobody really wants to talk to. Yes, you may find potatoes (for sure), a bit of red cabbage here or a salad there between side dishes and starters, but let’s be honest: veggies are not usually the stars of the show. Meat tends to take centre stage and all the attention.
There are brilliant, tasty vegetarian and vegan options you can serve as part of a Christmas menu for everyone. Try adding at least one starter or main dish that fits the bill. Additionally, these recipes are often more affordable than their meat-based counterparts. And if you really have no other choice, remember that turkey or chicken are easier to digest and lower in fat. Your stomach will thank you later.
Portions: the grand feast
You know there will be mountains of food on the table during the holidays, but that doesn’t mean you have to eat every last crumb. Leftovers are wonderful, and reinventing them is a form of art, so your Christmas became healthy and even more sustainable. Try not to fill up on nibbles before the main course, unless you enjoy walking around feeling like a human balloon after every Christmas meal. Sample a bit of everything, but control the portions so you can actually enjoy it.
Look After Your Mental Health Too
This is a very important ingredient for whole-body wellbeing. You already know what the holidays are like every year. Not everyone enjoys them, and for many different reasons. But given the situation, try to focus on the good parts, because they do exist. Each Christmas, for better or worse, is unique. And we won’t always be surrounded by the same people every year, so try to keep that in mind and enjoy their company while you can.
Stress is a terrible companion during the festive season. Try to plan for things you know may cause you grief (not finding the gift you want, last-minute shopping, certain food priced like unicorn horns…). Ask for help organising lunches or dinners if they’re at your place. And if you arrive somewhere late…well, what can you do? It won’t be the end of the world. Avoid extremely crowded places, even if you want your kids to have the experience of a lifetime watching the Christmas lights of the city. Spoiler: They don’t care that much, but they will love to play at home with you.
In short, try to keep things in perspective and organise plans that genuinely allow you to enjoy Christmas and stay healthy throughout the year. Whether that means spending time with family and friends, or enjoying a few days of self-care and peace. And that will make your Christmas much healthier. Having the chance to enjoy another Christmas means we are still here, so let’s try to make it a lovely one: eating happily, appreciating every bite, and going to bed thinking we were able to hug the people we love, even if only from afar. And if not, well, January is just around the corner — and if we survived November, we’ve already won, haven’t we?