Eating well during the holiday season? Please. When butter sales are at an all-year high, even sticking to your Aunt Rebecca’s monster dessert may have you rolling out of every family function.
Not to mention the stress that comes with the holidays — overeating or going for those super decadent foods may make you sluggish and not your best.
So, our editors put together a holiday handbook on how to eat well and survive the madness of the season.
Here’s what we’re doing this year:
1. Enlist the help of Factor
The most important part of not going overboard at your family dinners? Set up the rest of your meals for success. Skip the grocery store mania, and sign up for a service like Factor. We love this one for its convenience, amazing nutrition, and wonderful flavor. They offer chef-curated, nutritionist-informed meals made with fresh ingredients and deliver them right to your door.
To stay satiated, simply heat and eat fantastic meals like their Pecan & Herb-Crusted Chicken with Quinoa, Kale, & Browned Butter Apples. Or the Louisiana Shrimp with Smoked Gouda Cauliflower “Grits” & Chicken Andouille Tomato Gravy. Meals range from 350-900 calories — averaging around 600. Factor caters to all kinds of dietary preferences like Keto, Protein Plus, Vegan & Veggie, Calorie-Smart, and Chef’s Choice.
2. Remember The “Why”
There’s nothing wrong with helping yourself to scrumptious pumpkin pie every year! It’s creamy and oh-so-delicious! But consistently overindulging in rich, sugary foods only makes you feel bleh. Remember that you don’t have to give anything up. But you’ll be more present and brighter if you don’t overdo it. If you sign up for Factor, their plans will help you stay balanced and only indulge when you decide to.
3. Spread the cheer
Took too many leftovers? Give them to the neighbors! Send some extra treats to friends and family you can’t see in person. You’ll have everything you need with your Factorplan anyway, and sharing is caring during the holidays!
4. Lessen the stress
Easier said than done. ‘Tis the season to vent to the group chat. Use that time off school or work and schedule a few hang outs with friends. Maybe set some personal rules for when your uncle starts talking politics — board games, anyone? Staying full with protein-rich meals and snacks — Factor’s add-ons like Breakfast Blueberry Pancakes, Keto Snickerdoodle Cookies and Parmesan Chicken Wings can help here — is another fantastic way to remain level-headed.
5. Stay Hydrated
We’ve all heard the annoying adage “maybe you’re not hungry, you’re just thirsty.” But honestly, sometimes it’s true. If you’re feeling a little hungry, a little cranky, a little headache-y, time for the H20. If you’re drinking alcohol, alternate with water, or stock up on fun drinks like Fall juices and seltzers. For higher-end juices, we like Factor’s cold-pressed offerings in flavors like Apple Beet Ginger and Pineapple Turmeric — truly yum.
Holiday schedules are known to plunge into chaos, but your eating habits don’t have to. Heat-and-eat a Factor meal in 5 minutes or crack right into a juice or smoothie, and you’ll be back to yourself in no time.
With a fridge full of delicious, nutritious Factor meals, you can head into the holiday season confident that you’ll eat festively while keeping your mind and body supported and nourished.
At $11 per serving, Factorallows you to choose your number of weekly meals. You can opt for as few as 4 meals a week or as many as 18 meals — around 2 meals a day. Feel great all season long with Factor.