Eating around the holidays can invoke a lot of stress and anxiety. We often think, “I don’t want to blow my diet and fall off track.”
But being around copious amounts of fun foods, desserts, sweets, and snack foods can make it challenging to find balance on your plate. But what if going to a holiday party meant that you could enjoy a balanced meal without feeling like you have “blown your diet”?
We talked directly to nutrition experts to find out what their game plan for the holiday season is this year. They all shared common beliefs that indulging in moderation, while also bringing a dish they feel good about helps them balance holiday parties with healthy nutrition choices.
Why dietitians bring these options
“Bringing a veggie dish to potlucks ensures there’s more of a variety of options to make a balanced meal when paired with the usual abundance of meat and casserole dishes,” Bri Bell, RD, of Frugal Minimalist Kitchen shared.
Cindy Chou, RDN, chef and registered dietitian at The Sound of Cooking and Cancer Nutrition in a Bowl, reports that she loves colorful meals. She explains that focusing on fruits and veggies ensures that the meal “includes potassium, which helps to support normal blood pressure, and fiber to help with your digestion after holiday meals.”
Dietitian and culinary nutritionist KeyVion Miller RDN, LDN, claims she loves bringing a veggie dish that “provides fiber and potassium, which are important nutrients for anyone struggling with diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.”
“When you’re at a holiday gathering, it’s not always easy to find a wholesome snack,” says Amy Gorin, a plant-based registered dietitian in Stamford, CT. That’s why she recommends choosing options that are high in satiating protein and filling fiber.
