Holiday Hacks: 25 Days of Christmas Eating

I love this time of year.

The air is cooler, the clothes are warmer, and time with family and friends is sweeter.

And lets not forget the food...

It's everywhere.

I don't know about you, but my November 23rd - January 1st is slam packed with family functions, holiday parties and impromptu gatherings. There always seems to be another excuse to indulge in holiday treats, most of them in the form of high-calorie sweets.

I'm sure you can relate.

It's no wonder so many people begin a New Year with a new diet and a promise to never eat dessert again... or at least for a while. It's easy to feel out of control and fed up with your eating habits after a month of indulgence and overeating.

Do you feel like your eating habits are always out of control this time of year?

Maybe you just want a few tips on how to enjoy the Holidays without over doing it.

Take charge and enjoy the Holidays, and all the delicious food they bring, with these Holiday hacks:

1. Drink water

It's way easier to drink a ton of calories than it is to eat them. Go easy on the Christmas cocktails, hot coco and nog. The calories add up fast.

False hunger is another reason to stay hydrated. Mild dehydration can trick your brain into thinking you're hungry when really you just need water.

Make water your drink of choice this season. Save the calories for the food.

2. Find Alternatives

Holiday food is delicious and often high in calories, which isn't inherently bad. But if you're looking to shave off some calories, there are plenty of alternative recipes for your favorite Holiday treats.

Here are a few low-calorie alternatives for common ingredients:

-Plain Greek yogurt instead of butter

-Dried fruit/Apple sauce/Banana instead of sugar

-Egg whites instead of whole eggs

-Fresh salsa instead of salad dressing

-High-fiber cereal (Grape Nuts, Kashi) instead of graham cracker crumbs

3. Fill Up On Lean Protein and Veggies

Lean meats and veggies are low-calorie, very filling and will keep your from overeating all the other stuff.

4. Eat a Small Meal Beforehand

Try eating a small meal beforehand if there won't be any protein or veggie options at your next Holiday function. This will leave you some room for a treat, but curb your hunger enough to keep you from splurging.

5. Make a Plate and Eat Slow

Avoid grazing. Go ahead and make a small plate. Grazing is a mindless form of eating and gives you no since of portion size.

Don't forget to savor your food (I have to remind myself of this one). Chew slow. Wait before going back. Your stomach takes 15-20min to relay the message to your brain that you aren't hungry anymore.

There is a natural reward system in play when we eat. Dopamine and other neurotransmitters flood our brain directly after eating good food, especially sweets. This increases our urge to eat again. Giving your body time to come down off the "food high" will help you better discern your hunger cues.

Practice mindful eating and be in tune with your body.

There's nothing wrong with treating yourself. Don't beat yourself up over what you should and should not eat. I hope you eat that Christmas cookie or slice of pie you've been craving. 'Tis the season!

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Above all, enjoy the Christmas season. There's far more to life than food and exercise. You can be the "healthiest" person on the planet, while letting life and the every-day blessings completely pass your by.

Life is a gift.

Be present. Savor the moment.