How to enjoy the festive season without feeling worn out
- Gemma Westfold
- Dec 5
- 5 min read
The holiday season is about family, friends and celebration. You can absolutely have the things you want at Christmas, and I will show you how to enjoy them without feeling rubbish afterwards. This is not a time for restriction. It is about being intentional so you keep your energy, your sleep and your body running well while you still join in the fun. I'll share exactly what I do myself, and what I recommend for my clients.
Here are my top 10 tips for a healthy Christmas:
Prep your body with a morning you control
This is the big one. Many people skip breakfast at this time of year or tell themselves they will make up for it later. Do not do that.
Breakfast is the meal you can be fully in charge of every single day, and it will make the biggest difference of all.
Make it a non-negotiable. Aim for protein plus fibre and healthy fats. Ideas you can repeat every morning include eggs and avocado on wholegrain toast, a Greek yoghurt with berries and seeds, or a chia pudding with added nuts. If you usually skip breakfast, trust me, do not. Eating well in the morning reduces cravings later, steadies blood sugar, and protects you from overeating at parties. This is the biggest safety net of the season. Trust me.
Snack smart before events
Eat a small protein or fibre rich snack before you leave. Hard boiled eggs and oatcakes, an apple with almond butter or hummus with veg will make you less likely to arrive ravenous and eat the first thing you see. And the second, third....
Mindfully build your plate in practical order
In a buffet situation, or when you serve yourself at the table, start with protein, then fill half your plate with vegetables, then add hearty sides if you want them. This order helps slow down eating and supports blood sugar balance. This exact order. Choose nutrient dense festive options such as roast turkey or salmon, a big roasted vegetable platter, pickled or fermented veg and wholegrain or root vegetable sides. Then go for the pigs in blankets, mini Yorkshires - again, not a time for deprivation.
Move purposefully, including walking after meals
Movement supports digestion and keeps energy up. A brisk 10-to-20-minute walk after a big meal helps blood sugar, aids digestion and is a lovely way to connect with family or to step outside for a breathe of cold, fresh air to stimulate that vagal tone. Walking after lunch or dinner can be a family ritual or a deliberate escape...
Support your gut and add prebiotic foods
Remember that it is Christmas for your gut bacteria too. Ad6. d prebiotic rich foods to festive meals. Include onions, garlic, leeks, asparagus, Jerusalem artichokes, green bananas, cooked and cooled potatoes and lentils. Your bacteria will thank you by producing anti-inflammatory molecules such as short chain fatty acids. This protection against chronic inflammation is a great trade-off for having a more indulgent main meal.
Hydration matters, especially around alcohol
Alcohol dehydrates and makes recovery harder the next day. Pair each alcoholic drink with a glass of water, or aim to drink a large glass of water for every drink. Adding lemon, mint or cucumber makes water more appealing and gives small nutritional benefits. You know this, but do you do it?
Gentle sleep hygiene and recovery
Late nights are part of the season, but do keep a simple wind down. Try herbal tea, 10 minutes of gentle breathing, or am Epsom salt bath. Good sleep protects your mood, appetite and the way your body handles sugar. Really prioritise this, or you'll be more hungry the next day, and healthy foods don't satisfy the hunger hormone (ghrelin) that is released in far more abundance in a sleep deprived person. It's an age old protective mechanism that is at odds with our modern environment.
Mindless grazing is where the real extras happen
This is one of the most important points. A single Christmas lunch or a few nights out will not ruin you. They may just be exactly what you need. What stacks up is the daily extras we allow ourselves because it is “Christmas”. The post dinner Roses box (or Quality Street) eaten in front of the TV while catching up on Stranger Things, the half tin of biscuits picked at while answering emails, mince pies because they are there, the supermarket trolley filled with treats “in case someone comes over”... Stop and ask yourself before you reach for a mince pie while scrolling through work emails, do I really want or need this now, or am I distracted? If you do want it, have one and enjoy it mindfully. Then move one. Do not let a habit of small, frequent indulgences become the default.
Practical tricks to avoid the grazing trap
Do not buy large mixed chocolate tins or giant biscuit packs for home snacking, only if you are entertaining. This one is a short one.
Alcohol specific notes that are easy to do
Have a protein rich snack before drinking to slow alcohol absorption. Choose lower sugar drinks such as spirits with soda and lime or dry wine. Alternate every alcoholic drink with water. If you want one extra supportive step, include some sulforaphane rich cruciferous veg earlier in the day, such as a small broccoli sprout smoothie or a kale soup, which can support detox pathways in the liver.
A thoughtful mindset for the whole month
December does not need to be 31 days of overeating. A few special meals and a couple of nights out are enough to feel festive. It is the everyday extras that add up. Make the big events enjoyable, then return to normal without guilt. Build resilience so you can enjoy parties and still feel good the next day.
My advice for the festive season? Live, laugh and eat, and also sleep, move and recover.
If you'd like personalised 1-2-1 nutrition with me, then I'd love to talk. Book a Free Health Review and see how I can help you get the health you deserve.
This is a Google review I got this week from a client I have been working with since September: "Gemma is amazing. Helped me get to the bottom of my gut health issues. She is super knowledgeable about diet and supplements, has workable realistic plans and is an all round lovely person to talk to. Thank you for your help." Mrs K
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