07 Jan 6 Easy Ways To Get Your Diet on Track After the Holidays
The holidays are a beautiful time for family, friends, and eating a few too many slices of pie. Whether it’s Aunt Marge’s irresistible stuffing or that late-night cookie platter that somehow became breakfast, it’s easy to overindulge during the festive season. Now that the decorations are packed away, you might feel sluggish and ready for a reset.
The good news is that getting your diet back on track doesn’t have to be complicated or overwhelming. Small, manageable changes can have a big impact, and you don’t need to dive headfirst into a cleanse or banish carbs to the shadow realm.
1. Start Fresh With Healthy Prepared Meals
Truthfully, meal prep after the holidays can feel like a daunting task. Who has the energy to chop, dice, and roast when you’re still recovering from all those elaborate holiday dishes? That’s where healthy prepared meals come to the rescue.
These ready-made options are a lifesaver when you’re short on time but want to make nutritious choices. These meals prioritize fresh ingredients, balanced portions, and minimal additives. Think roasted chicken with veggies, hearty grain bowls, or plant-based options.
Prepared meals are convenient, but they can also inspire your meal planning. If you spot a combo you love, you can recreate it at home when ready to return to the kitchen. In the meantime, these meals help you hit the reset button without adding to your post-holiday to-do list.
2. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
After the holidays, it’s amazing what extra water can do for your body. Between all the festive cocktails, salty snacks, and sweet treats, your body is likely crying out for hydration.
Start your day with a big glass of water to wake up your system, and keep a refillable bottle nearby throughout the day. If plain water feels too boring, jazz it up with lemon slices, cucumber, or your favorite herbal tea splash.
Proper hydration helps flush out toxins and curbs the faux hunger pangs that can strike when you’re thirsty.
Bonus: Drinking water before meals can help you feel satisfied sooner, making it easier to stick to reasonable portions.
3. Go Big on Veggies
If there’s one food group that may work magic on a post-holiday diet, it’s vegetables. Packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, they help fill you up without filling you out. Plus, they’re incredibly versatile.
Roast sweet potatoes, broccoli, and carrots for an easy side dish, toss some leafy greens into a hearty salad, or whip up a veggie-packed soup to warm you up on chilly days. For snacking, keep baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, or sugar snap peas on hand to curb cravings without reaching for the leftover fudge.
The key is making your veggies as accessible as possible. Pre-chopped, pre-washed, or frozen options can save you time and make it easier to reach for something green.
4. Set Realistic Goals
After a season of indulgence, setting lofty goals like cutting out sugar forever or working out daily is tempting. Unfortunately, drastic resolutions often lead to burnout, not success. Instead, focus on small, realistic changes that you can sustain.
Maybe you commit to adding one more serving of vegetables to your daily meals or swapping your nightly dessert for a bowl of fruit a few times a week. These little wins add up and are much easier to stick with than sweeping overhauls.
Remember, progress doesn’t mean perfection. Slip-ups are part of the process, so don’t sweat them. Celebrate the good choices you’re making and keep moving forward.
5. Keep Moving (But Don’t Overdo It)
The holidays can leave you feeling sluggish, but you don’t need to jump into an intense workout regime to feel better. The key is to ease back into movement in a way that feels good for your body.
Start with something simple, like a 20-minute walk, a gentle yoga flow, or a fun dance class. These low-pressure activities can boost your mood and energize you without adding stress to your body.
Your first trip back to the gym after the holidays might not be your best performance, and that’s okay. The most important aspect is staying consistent and showing up for yourself, even if it’s just a short stroll around the block.
6. Plan Your Snacks Wisely
Snacking gets a bad rap, but it can actually help keep your diet on track if you do it right. The key is to plan ahead and stock up on nourishing and satisfying snacks.
Think nuts, fresh fruit, yogurt, or even hummus with veggies. Pre-portion these into grab-and-go containers to avoid mindless munching on less nutritious options. If you love a crunchy snack, roasted chickpeas or air-popped popcorn can be great alternatives to chips.
Your Healthy Reset, Made Simple
Resetting your diet after the holidays doesn’t have to feel overwhelming or restrictive. The goal isn’t perfection — it’s progress. By focusing on small, manageable changes like enjoying healthy, prepared meals, staying hydrated, and prioritizing movement, you’ll set yourself up for success without feeling deprived.
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Last Updated on January 7, 2025 by Marie Benz MD FAAD