Holidays are the time when we gather with our loved ones to share joy, gifts, laughter, and delicious food. Unfortunately, the holidays can also be very stressful for those who want to stick to their fitness and nutritional goals. With all the temptations around, we can quickly overindulge in food, and the holiday guilt starts creeping in. Is there a way to have guilt-free holidays and still enjoy the merry season?

What is holiday food guilt?

Food guilt is a dreaded feeling that you have after eating. It makes you want to go back in time and not eat what you've just eaten. This guilt is usually more intense during the holidays as we enjoy more food and fall from our regular fitness routine. In fact, studies* show that over 63% of people struggle with holiday food guilt. It's basically a universal experience! 

5 tips for guilt-free holidays

Before reading the tips, we want you to remember that it's okay to indulge every so often if you support your body and stay mindful. To help you out, we've gathered five simple tricks that can help you stay on track while fully enjoying the holidays. 

1. Don't forget the protein.

Roasted potatoes, apple pies, gingerbread cookies, and candy canes – holidays are all about carbs, fats and sugars. And that's okay! However, if you want to avoid holiday weight gain, you must include some protein on your plate. Protein boosts your metabolism, increases fat burning, and keeps you fuller for longer. And most importantly, it helps reduce cravings, meaning you'll have less of an urge for those cookies

Tip: Try balancing your plate with 1/2 of vegetables, ¼ of carbs and ¼ of protein.

2. Take a smaller plate

Another tip to avoid holiday weight gain is to simply use smaller plates. This way, you can trick your brain into thinking you are getting a larger portion. Thus, you will feel satisfied and full while eating in moderation.

And there's also a new holiday spin on this old trick! We all know how hard it sometimes is to decline holiday food, even when we're full. By using a smaller plate, you won't only trick yourself into eating less – you will also trick others into thinking you're eating more.

3. Unwind with a walk

Keeping up with your usual fitness routine can be challenging during the holidays – especially if you want to save time and energy for your loved ones. And that's perfectly fine. A few days away from the gym won't erase your fitness progress.

However, you don't have to spend the whole holiday in a horizontal position. Instead, you can take some walks or play in the snow. This way, you can reduce the potential holiday guilt and relieve the feelings of anxiety and stress.

4. Indulge with intention

The holidays are a time of enjoyment and indulgence, so treating yourself a bit more is totally normal. The most important thing is to stay mindful – which is way easier if you set a plan!

You can try listing your favourite foods and drinks that you will want to enjoy without restrictions. Later, you can revisit this list if the holiday food guilt starts creeping in. This way, you can feel more in control. And in turn, you're less likely to punish and criticise yourself.

5. Take our Carb Blocker

Supplementing with Carb Eliminator is the easiest way to avoid holiday guilt, stay on track with your fitness goals, and enjoy the jolly season to the fullest.

Carb Eliminator cuts the calories from fats and carbs in half. This means that when you eat ten gingerbread cookies, it's the same as if you only ate five!

And that's not all. With Carb Eliminator, returning to your fitness routine will be easier after the festive season. Because you won't gain much weight, you won't have to overcompensate with extensive cardio. This means the transition will be smoother, and you will regain your fitness momentum quicker.

The Takeaway

With holidays around the corner, it's important to remember that food guilt has no place on your plate. If you stay mindful and follow these simple tips, you can have guilt-free holidays without gaining weight or losing your fitness progress. And what's the best advice of them all? Take Carb Eliminator, forget about counting calories, and make the most of this festive season!