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Diet Tips For a Healthy Holiday Survival Guide

Author Maryann Morgan
LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 27: Close-ups of food platters served during the VMA after party hosted by Republic Records and Cadillac at TAO restaurant at the Dream Hotel on August 27, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.

The holiday season is synonymous with joy, festivities, and of course, indulging in delicious treats. However, navigating through a myriad of parties can sometimes leave our health goals hanging in the balance. Fear not, though! According to Today.com, registered dietitian Vanessa Rissetto has some easy-to-follow tips to help you revel in the holiday spirit without sacrificing your well-being. Read on for diet tips for a guide to a healthy holiday.

First and foremost, be selective with your RSVPs. You don’t have to attend every single event on your calendar. Align your social commitments with your health goals, whether it’s weight loss or maintaining a balanced lifestyle. Choose events that matter most to you, and if faced with a week packed with parties, you can adopt the “sum of averages” rule – consider skipping a drink at one event or forgo dessert to strike a balance.

Since heading to a party on an empty stomach is a recipe for overindulgence, prioritize a pre-party meal. This should include protein, fiber, and a bit of fat.

Vanessa recommends a smart plan involving protein sources like chicken, turkey, or fish, fiber-rich fruits and veggies, and a satisfying snack to keep you fueled.

When you’re facing a holiday buffet, load up your plate smartly: 50% veggies, 25% protein, and 25% starch. By starting with veggies, you’ll feel fuller and make more mindful choices when it comes to proteins and starches. This approach ensures you enjoy the festivities without going overboard.

If you plan on enjoying some holiday spirits, remember to eat before you drink. Drinking on an empty stomach can lead to overconsumption. Vanessa advises a 1:1 ratio of cocktails to water to pace yourself. Opt for drinks that aren’t your absolute favorite to prevent rapid consumption, and consider ordering a mocktail with seltzer to stay refreshed without overdoing it.

The morning after a festive night, combat that stuffed and bloated feeling with natural diuretics. Reach for foods like cucumbers, asparagus, lemons, and watermelon to help alleviate bloating and restore balance.

In essence, Vanessa Rissetto’s holiday survival guide boils down to balance and mindful choices. By being selective with your commitments, prepping your stomach before parties, and smartly navigating buffets and beverages, you can enjoy the holiday season guilt-free. So go ahead, savor the festivities, relish the treats, and embrace the joy of the season while keeping your health goals in check. Cheers to a happy and healthy holiday season!

4 Great Christmas Dinner Options For The Whole Family

Now that the Thanksgiving meal is behind us and we are all still feeling more than stuffed, it’s time we shift our focus. To more food! Here, we’ll cut into four great dinner options to feed the whole family at Christmas dinner.

Yes, Thanksgiving requires a lot of hours in the kitchen. Prepping a turkey, maybe even frying one, takes some proper attention. Then, to some, the most important part is the sides that go with the main attraction. Again, making these side dishes means cooking up a storm. However, perhaps we underappreciate the art of this meal. For the most part, the menu is designed for us. Furthermore, it is consistent every year. All you have to decide is how much to make based around how many people will be gathered around your table.

Fast forward a month, and it’s time to prepare another epic holiday meal. In addition to running around to grab last-minute gifts, if you are hosting a Christmas get-together you have to do a lot of preparing, again.

The Magic of Christmas Cooking

Here, we are going to break down some options to jump-start your Christmas prep. First, let’s set the table on some criteria, and some bust some myths. You certainly do not need to reinvent the wheel and cook up something extraordinarily unique. In fact, it’s best to keep it simple. Dozens of classic dishes have already been well-established as delicious to satisfy your family, friends, and guests.

The thought process in suggesting these four Christmas dinner options is that they are proven to be delightful. They can also be prepared in large batches that do not require a tremendous amount of hours in the kitchen. These meals are family-friendly and are sharable. Some of them you may even be able to combine together. Again, this list won’t spark an idea that’s never been cooked up. Perhaps it just serves as a simple reminder that these Christmas dinner menu items can be straightforward and delicious enough.

  • Lasagna

    A large tray of a baked pasta based meal that everyone gets to cut into just feels like a natural option. There’s room here to customize your tray of course. Add meat, make it a veggie, or have one of each. Plus, the red sauce nicely compliments your holiday-themed table setting.

    Lasagna with ricotta cheese, ground beef, mushrooms, and tomato sauce in baking dish with cake shovel, landscape view

    Stock Photo / Getty Images

  • Filet Mignon

    We’ll need to clarify here, your best bet here is a log shaped filet that can be evenly cut into quarter inch – to half inch slices. There’s something festive to carving a meal item in your kitchen, that is freshly cooked. You take pride in hosting and then slicing. You place your sliced filet on that serving platter that is used just once a year, walk it into the dining room and then feel joy when everyone digs in.

    Sliced grilled tenderloin Steak roastbeef on wooden cutting board and Red wine on dark background

    Stock Photo / Getty Images

  • Vegetarian Chili Bar

    It’s all about the slow-cooker or crock pot. You can let it warm in the kitchen all day, allowing a sharp aroma to seep into every room the family gathers in. This style is for more of the grab something quick and on-the-go Christmas meal gathering. Perhaps you have people in and out of your house, stopping by for a “cheers” throughout the day. A chili bar never disappoints. Add in your side bowls of shredded cheddar, tortilla crisps, scallions, and sour cream, and you are giving your guests the opportunity to put their own touch on your creation.

    Homemade Organic Vegetarian Chili with Beans and Cheese

    Stock Photo / Getty Images

  • Baked Ham

    This is the meal that gives you the option for a fancier sit-down dinner. The ham centerpiece is typically joined by elegant wine glasses and pre-feast toast. Throw some potato side dishes along with an asparagus or string bean casserole, and your living room is now a fine-dining restaurant. This meal allows you to take your time. The next thing you know, it’s dark outside, and you are putting a bow on your enjoyable Christmas night.

    Traditional glazed holiday ham on the wooden background

    Igor Jovanovic / Getty Images

Meet Maryann, who has been chasing magic since the early 90s. Back then, she hosted a love and dedication show at nights on Magic. Talk about romantic vibes! Since then, she traded her evening slot for mornings. When she’s not talking to you on the air, she’s living the glamorous life of a chicken, duck, pigeon, and German Short-Haired Pointer mom. Since Joel can never follow what she says, there is an entire feature called " What are you Talking About" at 9:10. Running is her secret to staying out of trouble – or at least staying ahead of the extra pounds. She has a husband named Matt, and a son named Zack, who she says makes her world a little adventure.

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