Last Updated on 14/12/2023 by Jill Dumas
How to Stay Healthy this Holiday Season
Below are my top five ways to stay healthy this holiday season. I get it. Christmas is a time to celebrate with friends and family, to indulge and to be merry. I’m not here to play Scrooge and take away all your holiday joy in the name of perfect health. I’m here to remind you of the simple, self-care ways to keep from getting too off-track, making it miserable for you to face your health come 2023.
Simple Ways to Stay Healthy this Holiday Season
1. Don’t forget the water
Alcohol dehydrates. Caffeine dehydrates. Often people have a few drinks at night, and an extra coffee or tea to get them through the next day. This is doubly dehydrating so remember to drink plenty of water. Two litres daily is your goal. Herbal tea counts as liquid. And a bonus if you add electrolytes or minerals to replenish those lost minerals from the alcohol and caffeine. My favourites are BodyBio E-Lyte and Cellcore CT-Minerals.
2. Get your daily walk in
Cool, fresh air and gentle exercise helps us recover after a night out. Don’t let exercise fall by the side this holiday season. If you opt for a dinner out instead of an after-work gym session, try and fit in some type of movement earlier in the day. Ten to fifteen minutes, up to three times a day can make a big difference in maintaining your current level of fitness this Christmas. Even just 10-15 minutes after a meal helps stabilise blood sugar levels, reducing the post-meal energy dip.
3. Eat more protein
Start your day off right. Opt for a protein heavy breakfast to stabilise blood sugar levels and to help your body repair after an evening out. Aim for 20-30g of protein in your breakfast. This means swapping porridge for a plant-based protein shake with ½ banana, a handful of greens and water or milk of your choice. Eggs are another great option. Two eggs contain 14g of protein – add a slice of toast with peanut butter or sliced avocado and you’ve got yourself a winning breakfast.
4. Eat your vegetables
Vegetables contain a range of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that will help your body recover from the excess behaviour and late nights. Vegetables also contain soluble and insoluble fibre, both which aid digestion and help feed those good bacteria in your microbiome. Vegetable soups are super easy to make, can be made in advance and frozen for on-the-go lunches or a quick dinner and are a sure way to get your daily veg goals met.
I’ve even put together my top 5 vegetable soup recipes for you – you can download the guide here.
5. Consider extra liver support
Foods that support liver function include cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts along with root veg, garlic and onions. The good news is these are in season this time of year so easily found. Taking a liver support supplement is a good idea too if you plan on making the most of party season. Milk thistle is a relatively safe herb found in most health food shops.
Keep your health up this Christmas
Even if you take away just one or two of these suggestions, you’ll be better for it when January rolls around. And if you do find yourself needing some extra support to get back on track, you know where to find me. A couple of months of extra liver support, re-seeding and optimising your digestion and microbiome and you’ll be in better health than you were before the holiday season!
I wish you a very Merry Christmas and all the health, happiness and joy in 2023!
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