The holidays tend to be centered on food and for those of us who are still building a positive relationship with our diet, it can seem challenging.

It’s so easy to lose sight of your weight loss goals when everyone around us is throwing caution to the wind and over-indulging.

But the truth is, you can enjoy a completely satisfying holiday without packing on the pounds!

Here are 6 simple tips to keep you full and satisfied during the holiday season.

6 TIPS TO GUILT-FREE HOLIDAY EATING

1. TAKE CHARGE IN THE KITCHEN

If you’re worried about not having anything healthy to eat, take the initiative to bring your own dishes to the table. Wow your dinner guests with healthy alternatives to your favorite holiday classics.

One super simple way to enjoy a classic dish like mashed potatoes is to switch out half of the potatoes for cauliflower and boil them in garlic-infused vegetable broth instead of water. You’ll have a huge punch of flavor and won’t miss those extra calories at all!

When you finally sit down to eat, you’ll be confident knowing every ingredient is nourishing your body. You can dig in for seconds, guilt-free!

2. AN APPLE A DAY KEEPS THE POUNDS AWAY

Apples are full of fiber so they are very filling and can help prevent cravings. They’re also full of water, which can help increase your metabolism and curb your appetite. Eat an apple 15 – 20 minutes before your party or Thanksgiving dinner and you can save hundreds of calories!

3. BE HANDS ON

One of the easiest ways to control calories during the holidays is to avoid overeating. And an easy way to measure portion sizes is to use your own hands!

The palm of your hand is about 3 – 4 oz (a good serving for your meat), your two thumbs together is equal to one tablespoon (perfect for high-calorie dressings or dips), 2 hands cupped together is equal to 1 cup (use for salads), while one hand is 1/2 cup (great for those sides).

4. SKIP THE ALCOHOL

I know this might not be popular advice, but it’s pretty shocking when you realize how much sugar you’re actually gulping down with that decadent dessert wine or chocolate martini. Just one holiday cocktail can easily have a whopping 300+ calories!

Instead, soothe yourself with a hot beverage! Festive holiday or chai teas are great options as they have lots of warming spices like cinnamon and ginger. Add a splash of coconut milk and top with freshly grated nutmeg for an indulgent drink with a flavorful kick.

5. INDULGE CONSCIOUSLY 

Did you know you’re more likely to binge if you feel like you’re being deprived? So if you just can’t stand the idea of not digging into Grandma’s World Famous Pie this year, then go ahead and have a slice! This isn’t a free-for-all pass to eat everything in sight. Choose one must-have item and allow yourself to indulge. Let yourself know that you’ve made a conscious choice to eat this treat, whatever it may be, and then truly savor it! Satisfy your craving, and do so without regrets!

6. SLOW AND STEADY 

Remember why you’re having this meal of celebration in the first place and really take the time to savor each and every bite. Make a game of it by trying to be the person to finish each course last.

Finally, try and wait 20 minutes between each course. This is the length of time it takes for the brain to get the confirmation from your stomach that you are no longer hungry. This will help save calories, fat, and a tummy ache later!

And, If you end up overeating, don’t fret. We’ve all been there!

Overeating one day out of the year won’t cause significant weight gain. However, it can start you down a slippery slope.

Get your healthy eating back on track right away.

An easy way to do this is to avoid the leftovers. (No need to make the same mistake twice!) Package them up and give them to a friend or family member to avoid temptation.

These 6 simple steps can kick-start your way to guilt-free holiday eating. Enjoy!

To learn more about how you can have a guilt-free holiday season, head here: The Clean & Dirty On Intuitive Eating!