Our 4-part series is here to help. It includes:

1. Part 1: Begin in the Mind: How to Slow Down, Simplify, and Get Enough Sleep During the Holidays
2. Part 2: What to Eat and What to Do When/If You Fall Off-Plan
3. Part 3 (this post): Eat Healthy at Holiday Parties and Restaurants
4. Part 4: How to End One Year With Gratitude and Peace, and Choose Optimism for a New Year

7 Strategies to Eat Healthy at Holiday Parties and Restaurants

One of the most fun parts of the holidays is the get-togethers. The parties, outing, and time spent with people you love. But, it’s not always eating to eat healthy at holiday parties. You may feel that they are traps ready to derail all the work you’ve put forth this year.

But don’t worry. You can enjoy and thrive this year. Here are 7 strategies to eat healthy at holiday parties and restaurants this year.

1. Write Down Your Goals and Then Record What You Eat

If you want to eat healthy at holiday parties, it’s good to start with a clear goal for the evening. Then, write it down. For some reason, this is much more powerful than merely thinking about it. Writing your goals for the evening down is like making a personal contract.

Some examples may include, “Order a salad and then salmon with vegetables.” And “Don’t eat dessert and stick with tea instead of a high-carbohydrate drink.”

Next, you can really increase your willpower and accountability by keeping a food journal for the night, and throughout the Holidays.

In fact, many studies show that those who keep a food journal lose significantly more weight than those who don’t. (1).

2. Make a Plan and Stick To It

Take a few minutes to get to know the restaurant before you go. Most now have their entire menu online. You can look for yourself and find dishes with proteins and vegetables (low-carb).

If attending a party, it can be a bit tougher, but usually, there are options for these Keto Zone friendly foods:

• Vegetables such as relish plates and salads
• Protein like seafood, beef, turkey, or chicken
• Drinks such as water, coffee, or tea

And speaking of drinks, many people completely sabotage their entire plan and goals with sugary drinks. In fact, many party punches have  30+ grams of sugar and carbohydrates per serving (2). Yikes!

So again, have a plan. Opt for a “skinny” drink or mocktail, drink tea or water, or even bring your own low-carbohydrate packet such as a True Lemon Lemonade.

3. Remember, You Are in Control of What Goes Into Your Mouth

Depending on those with whom you’re eating, you may feel peer pressure or sense awkwardness if you stick to healthy eating.

But remember, you have the power to choose and are in control of what goes into your mouth.

It may be a bit awkward, but you can feel pride in making this tough decision.

If you are firm and strong about your choices, and then focus on enjoying the company (and not feeling bad about being healthy), many people won’t even notice what you’re eating. Most people are thinking about what they eat, not others.

4. Stick to the Basics

Make eating simple. You know you can eat proteins and meats, vegetables (load ’em up), and healthy fats. Focus in on these.

For example, a charcuterie board (meats and cheeses) alongside a relish plate is perfect.

Don’t think there will be one at the party?

5. If It’s a Potluck Party, Bring Something You Want to Eat like a Charcuterie Board

You can eat healthy at Holiday parties when it’s a potluck! But, you must have willpower going in.

One of the best things about a potluck is you can bring a dish you want to eat. If you’re worried there won’t be any Keto Zone main dishes or appetizers, bring one like Our Keto Zone Meatballs.

Need a dessert? Bring these Keto Zone Pecan Tartlets.

Or, want a festive drink? Others will love Keto Zone Holiday Eggnog as well.

If you’re going to a restaurant, you may not want to pull a main-dish out of your purse. But, you can be choosey. Check out our 5 Steps to Keto Zone Eating at a Restaurant.

6. Want a more Social and Less Stressful Time? Eat a Keto Zone Meal Before You Go

While this works better for most parties than restaurant dinners, you can bring the stress down by eating before you go. Then, use the time there to just nibble on a few Keto-friendly options (bring them if needed) and enjoy the company more than the food. Sometimes, this is the best way to catch up and enjoy a party!

7. Derailed? Give Yourself Grace & Get Right Back on Track

One dinner is not going to undo all your hard work on getting healthy this year. Even if you don’t eat healthy at one party, it’s not the end of the world.

The real trouble lies in not getting back on track.

If one Holiday party turns into a month of poor eating, you may regain weight or feel completely off track.

Don’t let this happen to you. Instead, get right back on track the next day with our Anti-Bloat Celery Smoothie – it’s a great tool for getting back to healthy eating the next day. Don’t delay!

Bottom Line

Holiday get-togethers should be fun, and not stressful, for healthy eaters. If you take the time to plan and go into it with some tools (like Keto Zone meals) and determinations, you can eat healthy at holiday parties this year!

The post Healthiest Holidays Ever: Eat Healthy at Holiday Parties & Restaurants (Part 3) appeared first on Dr. Don Colbert, MD.

However, they are also some of the toughest days to stay in the Keto Zone.

Here are 8 Keto Zone eating tips to help you navigate, and thoroughly enjoy, Christmas Parties this year.

8 Keto Zone Eating Tips for Holiday Parties

1. Set your goals. Write them down.

It’s a lot easier to keep your resolve if you have a clear goal for the evening, and it works even better if you write it down.

First, write your goal for the evening. This shouldn’t be a long-term goal. This should be a goal for the evening specifically.

Then, write 2-3 habits, or a plan to accomplish it.

For example:

Goal: Consume 15 grams net carbs or less at the party.

Habits: Fill my plate with leafy salads first. Add meats and high-fat sauces. Drink an entire 2 glasses of water or tea after and do not come back for seconds.

If needed, email these goals to an accountability partner.

2. Consider a short workout within 1-2 hours before you go.

A good workout can keep you in the Keto Zone physically and mentally. Here’s how:

One, your body will continue to “burn” extra carbohydrates efficiently, and improve glucose control in the hours after your workout (carb intake should still be minor) (1).

Two, if you consume a high protein recovery snack after your workout, you won’t be as hungry for the party food.

Three, a good workout can be highly motivating and remind you of your goals (but make sure you don’t give into “deserving” to eat extra).

3. Remember, a moment of awkwardness is better than regret.

Depending on the company at the party, there may be a bit of awkwardness if you have to make any sort of statement about your eating.

But here’s the thing: oftentimes, people are more interested in their own choices than yours, and it’s usually not as awkward as you might anticipate.

If it is, it’s a powerful thing to “own” your health choices. If you must say it, say it with resolve and confidence: “I’m choosing a keto zone lifestyle. What a great party, right?”

When you stay true to yourself and your own goals, you won’t have regret.

4. Bring what you want to eat. Others will appreciate it, too.

If you’re bringing just one thing, concentrate on the course of the meal that you think will give you the most trouble.

Desserts?

Try bringing these Keto Zone Pecan Tartlets.

Festive drinks?

How about Keto Zone Holiday Eggnog.

Or, you can always bring a meat with a high-fat delicious sauce, low-carb vegetables, heavy whipped cream and berries, or meats and cheese.

5. Have a plan for low-carb drinks throughout the night.

It’s no surprise that many people completely derail their healthy eating plans with just one sugary drink, whether eating in the keto zone or not.

In fact, a typical sugary punch packs in 30+ grams of sugar and carbohydrates per serving (2).

Opt for a “skinny” cocktail or mocktail, decaffeinated tea, water with cucumber and lemon (always a party pleaser), or another low-carb drink. Again, if needed, bring something to share.

6. Look for the charcuterie board of cheese and meat.

Many parties offer appetizers you can eat as a meal. Look for it, or bring a beautiful, festive plate or cutting board of meats, cheeses, vegetables, and a high-fat sauce. This is sure to be a hit and a great addition to the feast.

7. Take the “eating stress” out of it by eating good keto zone meal before you go.

First, eat a moderately-sized keto zone meal. Then, consider anything at the party to be just a small about of “extra” keto zone food Instead of focusing on the food, you’ll have a lot of time to really enjoy the people and any activities. Keep a low-carb drink handy and enjoy the time spent!

8. If your intentions go downhill, give yourself some grace, and then get right back on track.

Generally, it’s not the occasional party during the Holidays that causes the most trouble for those watching what they eating, it’s the continual overeating or allowing over-eating to linger days after a party.

Don’t let it happen to you. Nip it in the bud and get right back on track.

A great tool? Try this Anti-Bloat Celery Smoothie and you’ll feel Keto Zone Healthy again in no time.

Bottom Line

Christmas parties should be a great time between family and friends, and not a source of stress when eating in the Keto Zone. With a bit of planning and preparation, you can stay in the Keto Zone and have a wonderful time.

The post 8 Keto Zone Eating Tips for Holiday Parties appeared first on Dr. Don Colbert, MD.