The holidays are fast approaching! If you have goals to optimize your health, performance, and body composition over the next few months, you're likely noticing some apprehension as you consider the gym closures, festive treats, and schedule changes that characterize this time of year.

At WAG Nutrition, we're all about eating your cake (or grandma's famous holiday cookies) and having it, too. Our coaches are experts in helping you outline realistic goals, plan ahead, and let go of food guilt. 

how to stick to your nutrition plan during the holidays 

6 Quick Healthy Holiday Tips

Here are a few quick healthy holiday tips to help you enjoy the season and avoid the "I just ate way too much" regret that is so common in November and December. 

1. Think Ahead

Key Takeaway: Determine your "special meals" and make other meals as healthy as possible.

How to Make It Happen: Pull out your calendar and note all your special meals and events. Thanksgiving dinner? Christmas Eve Dinner and Christmas Day Brunch? Intentionally choose and prioritize a few special occasions to let go of precision. Then, commit to nailing your targets in as many other meals as possible. The holidays are won during the meals that aren’t “special," and building consistency with those "normal" meals ensures you have wiggle room to put your tracker away and enjoy a few extra treats without impacting long-term progress.

2. Optimize Breakfast and Lunch

Key Takeaway: Eat (at least) two meals per day that are high in protein and fiber and low in carbohydrates and fats.

How to Make It Happen: This time of year usually comes with impromptu get-togethers and celebrations. To ensure you can enjoy these to the fullest while still hitting your daily macro goals, assume one meal per day will be higher in carbs and fats and lower in protein and fiber. So, fill two daily meals with protein and veggies, which are more challenging to get on the go or at the last second. Keep this meal lower in carbs and fats, so you have more macros to play with for last-second engagements.

 

3. Prep, Prep, and Prep Some More

Key Takeaway: Things get busy fast. Take that as a give-in so you can plan (and prep) accordingly. 

How to Make It Happen: "Prepping" doesn't need to look like perfectly portioned meals. It can look like chicken in the crockpot, buying pre-cut veggies, or making a batch of overnight oats as a healthy breakfast option. Anything you do ahead of time to make decisions later easier counts as "prep." Grab our Ultimate Meal Prep Guide here. 

Don't have any time? Here are our top tips for utilizing a meal delivery service and here are some of our favorite go-tos.

4. Limit (and Pre-Log) Alcohol Consumption

Key Takeaway: Alcohol macros add up fast. Set a drink limit and log your drinks beforehand so you don't blow your macros out of the water.

How to Make It Happen: Use the WAG Alcohol Calculator to calculate your drinks ahead of time and put them in your food tracking app before planning all other daily foods. Pre-logging will help you realize how many calories are in your drink and make more educated decisions on where to "spend" your macros. You may decide that a few hot toddies are worth it! Conversely, you may decide that a mocktail is the way to go so you can enjoy your favorite dessert or load up on foods that keep you feeling full.

Become a pro at tracking alcohol macros and grab our favorite macro-friendly cocktails and mocktails here!

 

5. Leave the Past In the Past

Key Takeaway: Food guilt only pulls the past into the future and impacts current decisions.

How to Make It Happen: When you make a choice you're not proud of, learn from it and move on. The more you dwell, the more you'll find yourself slipping into an all-or-nothing mindset that will lead to continued unhealthy decisions. The past belongs in the past. You always have the power to make your next decision a healthier one. 

 

6. Lean On Your Coach

Key Takeaway: A coach in your corner could be the difference between heading into January a step ahead of your resolutions or setting the same "finally look as strong as I feel in the gym" goal as last year.

How to Make It Happen: WAG Coaches have helped thousands of members successfully navigate the holiday season. A coach will help you prioritize upcoming events, tackle daily hang-ups, decide when to dial things in (and when to put your tracker away), and remind you to cut yourself some slack where and when necessary.

 

Additional Holiday Resources

Want more support tackling the holiday season? Here is a roundup of our favorite articles and guides.

As the holiday season unfolds, imagine feeling confident, energized, and completely at ease with your nutrition choices. Using these six tips, you can enjoy festive gatherings without the guilt or stress, savoring your favorite traditions while staying true to your goals.

If you're ready to take your nutrition to the next level and stay on track, a one-on-one coach will give you the personalized support and accountability you need. Get expert guidance tailored to your lifestyle so you can feel your best, not just during the holidays but all year round. Sign up now and start your journey to a healthier, happier you.