Those who want to stay lean and mean and not destroy the whole year’s worth of training always have a choice. It is still possible to take part in those family gatherings without jeopardizing your hard work and months of training and dieting.
We’ve compiled a fool-proof way to eat stuffing, pecan pie, and, yes, candy canes without having to set a New Year’s Resolution to lose all the fat you put on in a matter of days. Follow these tips and you’ll roll into 2021 with the bangin’ physique you built throughout the year.
Don’t skip breakfast to leave room for the large meal at night. Sumo wrestlers do exactly that – eat one or two meals a day and go to sleep.
I’m sure you have the visual of your uncles going to the couch to nap after stuffing themselves. Having your regular meals throughout the day won’t leave you starving when the feasts come, preventing you from overeating.
2 of 5
VisionPro
Have one hell of a workout an hour or so before.
Working out may not be the way you start off your holiday break but doing so will maintain your gains. Plus it ensures that even if you overeat, your body will store the excess calories as energy, not fat.
3 of 5
Shutterstock
Choose wisely and make sure you have digestive enzymes at hand.
I would also suggest some type of glucose disposal herb like fenugreek, which helps your body and insulin deal with the elevated blood sugar.
4 of 5
M+F Magazine
Split Your Macros
Split your dish into three sections. One third is protein, another third is vegetables, salads and greens, and the last third is what I call category-two vegetables, which are usually higher on the glycemic index like potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams or rice. The chart above is what it would look like.
It’s recommended to stay away from sauces and pies. Sauces always have some kind of sugar, which makes everything harder to digest. The crust from the pies always contain gluten, unless specified otherwise. Gluten is also in most sauces and other desserts. Unless it was planned as a cheat, stay away from desserts and pies.
5 of 5
anon_tae / Shutterstock
Switch up the menu
If you are the host, you can always treat your guests with healthier choices like organic turkey (raised without antibiotics), gluten-free pies, frozen or fresh vegetables and fruits.
Ditch the traditional mashed white potatoes, which are known for being high in pesticides. Opt for mashed sweet potatoes or cauliflower instead. Here are some non-conventional recipes for a healthier and leaner Holidays:
