5 Tips To Help You Stay On Trim Healthy Mama… Even During The Holidays! #AskWardee 102

It’s the holidays, and you know what that means. Sugar, processed foods, cookies, fudge, mashed potatoes, pie…. everywhere you look.

And they’re all calling your name, right? (I know how you feel.)

Yet, if you’re on the Trim Healthy Mama plan (or any healthy eating plan), you’ve probably got some really good reasons for doing it…

Like to lose weight, balance your blood sugar, or reduce inflammation.

These goals are so important. You’ve invested a lot of time and effort — and even money into starting and staying on track.

You would hate to lose ground!

But then… the holidays roll around…

It’s so hard to resist those sweets and treats.

Is it possible to stick to your healthy eating plan and still enjoy your food?

Be encouraged! Not only is it possible to enjoy Trim Healthy holidays, it might be more doable than you think!

In today’s #AskWardee, I’m giving you my top 5 tips for staying on Trim Healthy Mama through the holidays… despite mashed potatoes and pie!

Go here to get 3 more tips… for a total of 8!

Read, listen, or watch below!

Subscribe to #AskWardee on iTunes, Stitcher, YouTube, or the Podcasts app.

Q: How To Stay “On Plan” During The Holidays?

Jenna B. asked:

Wardee, I’ve been doing sooo well on Trim Healthy Mama and feeling great. Yet, I just know that the Christmas cookies and pies and mashed potatoes are going to be my downfall. Do you have any tips to help me stay on course and not give in? Thank you!

Jenna, it’s possible to stay on Trim Healthy Mama, even during the holidays! Here are my tips for you…

#1 — Don’t Talk About It (Too Much)

I know… my first tip to help you stay on the Trim Healthy Mama plan during the holidays is telling you not to talk about it. 😉

Really, though, the last thing most people want to hear about during the holidays is healthy eating or weight loss. This tip isn’t just to keep the peace during Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, however. It’s also for YOU.

Because you don’t have to explain or justify your efforts to take care of yourself and reach your goals — even if it is a special occasion.

(True story: My friend and her family were on the GAPS Diet during Thanksgiving several years ago. She thought the extended family deserved an explanation for why she and her family were bringing their own food. So, she spent much of the holiday meal explaining gut bacteria and bone broth to a family that still set out margarine, not butter, next to the bread. In hindsight, she realized she didn’t owe anyone an explanation, and her holiday would’ve been much more enjoyable if she’d kept to more mainstream conversation.)

If anyone asks why you’re not eating the pecan pie or the mashed potatoes and gravy, don’t feel you have to jump into a full explanation of Trim Healthy Mama. Simply tell them those foods don’t agree with you anymore (because they don’t!) or that you’re trying new foods (because you are!).

(Of course, you can explain if you really want to, especially if people are genuinely interested. Just know that there’s no obligation!)

#2 — Find Out The Menu & Plan To Bring A THM Side Dish

If you’re planning to spend your holidays away from your own home, call your host ahead of time and ask what’s on the menu. This lets you know if the meal is leaning more toward S (Satisfying) or E (Energizing). And then, you can plan to bring at least one THM side dish to complement the meal.

I don’t know about you, but we never show up to eat at someone’s house without contributing something — even if the host didn’t specifically ask us.

Chances are good that there will be some sort of meat, like turkey or roast, and vegetables. So, plan another side dish to bring and share, and you’re all set to stay on plan!

What dishes to bring? Here are some ideas:

• Green Beans With Bacon & Mushrooms as an alternative to green bean casserole — THM:S
• Perfect Soaked Rice In The Instant Pot is simple and budget-friendly– THM:E
• Easy Cheese Cauliflower Casserole — THM:S
• Sourdough Sandwich Bread — THM:E
• Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce (just omit the honey and use stevia) — THM:E
• 32 THM:S & Low-Carb Pumpkin Recipes (Dinner, Drinks, & Dessert!)

#3 — Always Have Your Own Dessert

It’s easy to stay on plan when it comes to meats and vegetables… Yet dessert is a whole other feat!

I’ve never been to any holiday gathering where there weren’t just as many (or more!) dessert options as savory options. Pies, cookies, cakes, punch, hot cider, hot chocolate, Cool Whip … sugar is EVERYWHERE.

So, save yourself the trouble, the guilt, and the blood sugar crash. Just bring your own THM-approved dessert … like:

• Sugar-Free Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread Cookies — THM:S
• Egg-Free, Dairy-Free Strawberry Lime Pudding — THM:E
• One of these 17 Stevia-Sweetened Desserts
• Any of the desserts from Sweet Without Sugar — like Double Layer Pumpkin Pie, Thin Mint Tart, or Coconut Cream Pie! (all THM:S desserts with nourishing foods!… keep scrolling down!) — currently 40% off and if you forward me your receipt, I’ll throw in a sugar-free ice cream recipe of my own!
• And when all else fails, have a handful of these no-sugar, stevia-sweetened chocolate chips that contain no fillers and are oh-so-yummy!

#4 — Host The Holiday At Your House

This requires a bit more work, but it also gives you total control! You can create a totally THM holiday menu because you’re in charge!

Per Tip #1, no one has to know that the foods you’re feeding them are part of a healthy weight loss plan… it can be your little secret. 😉

You provide the basis of the meal — healthy meat, cooked veggies, salad, homemade dressing, one or two desserts — and if your guests offer to bring a dish, they can bring whatever they want! They’re happy, you’re happy (and on plan), and everyone has a happy holiday!

#5 — Just Say No To Mashed Potatoes

Given the choice, many of us would skip the turkey, cranberry sauce, and stuffing — and gorge ourselves on the mashed potatoes instead. Don’t worry, you’re not alone!

Yet, as yummy as they are, mashed potatoes won’t help you stick to your Trim Healthy Mama plan or goals. If you just can’t imagine a holiday without them, have a small serving and don’t feel guilty at all.

However, if you’re determined to stay on plan, may I suggest No-Fail Cauli-tatoes instead? These are super creamy, and you can add as much butter as you want. 😉 Yet, they’re much lower in carbs, so they fit right in with your S (Satisfying) holiday meal!

#6, #7, #8…

You’ll find 3 more tips for staying on Trim Healthy Mama during the holidays right here. 🙂

What’s This About Trim Healthy Mama?

I followed Trim Healthy Mama, combined with Traditional Foods to lose more than 30 pounds in a year (and I’m keeping it off to this day).

If you’d like a free 1-week menu plan that I put together that’s a lot like the foods I ate (and still eat), click here to sign up.

If you’d like to know more about Trim Healthy Mama with Traditional Foods (how I do it), check out these posts:

• How I Lost More Than 30 Pounds In 1 Year
• A Baker’s Dozen Of Tips For Doing Trim Healthy Mama With Traditional Foods
• If I Were Starting Trim Healthy Mama With Traditional Foods All Over Again…
• 19 Foods You Need To Start Trim Healthy Mama {the Traditional Food Way}
• My Top 3 “Go-To” Traditional Foods For Trim Healthy Mama {purist} #AskWardee 064
• 43 Trim Healthy Mama Thanksgiving Recipes {with nourishing foods!}

Helpful Links

• 3 more tips for staying on Trim Healthy Mama during the holidays!
• Sweet Without Sugar eCookbook — chock-full of sugar-free ‘S’ desserts! — currently 40% off! plus get a free sugar-free ice cream recipe from me if you forward your receipt to me.
• FREE 1-Week Trim Healthy Mama “Purist” Traditional Food Menu Plan
• How I Lost More Than 30 Pounds In 1 Year
• A Baker’s Dozen Of Tips For Doing Trim Healthy Mama With Traditional Foods
• If I Were Starting Trim Healthy Mama With Traditional Foods All Over Again…
• 19 Foods You Need To Start Trim Healthy Mama {the Traditional Food Way}
• 10 Ways To Lose Weight & Still Nourish Your Body
• Trim Healthy Mama books — original cookbook/planbook, 2nd cookbook + 2nd plan book, 3rd cookbook/planbook (I recommend all 4 but if you can only get one, get the 3rd cookbook/planbook called Trim Healthy Table!)
• Green Beans With Bacon & Mushrooms as an alternative to green bean casserole — THM:S
• Perfect Soaked Rice In The Instant Pot is simple and budget-friendly– THM:E
• Easy Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole — THM:S
• Sourdough Sandwich Bread — THM:E
• Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce (just omit the honey and use stevia) — THM:E
• Sugar-Free Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread Cookies — THM:S
• Egg-Free, Dairy-Free Strawberry Lime Pudding — THM:E
• 17 Stevia-Sweetened Desserts
• No-Fail Cauli-tatoes

What Is The #AskWardee Show?

The #AskWardee Show is the live weekly show devoted to answering your niggling questions about Traditional Cooking: whether it’s your sourdough starter, your sauerkraut, preserving foods, broth, superfoods or anything else to do with Traditional Cooking or your GNOWFGLINS lifestyle.

I share tips and resources, plus answer your questions about Traditional Cooking!

The Details

When: Wednesdays at 10am Pacific / 1pm Eastern

Where: Traditional Cooking School on Facebook Live

What If You Can’t Make It?

Don’t worry. You can catch the replays or listen to the podcast!

• Come back here to AskWardee.TV; all replays will be up within hours of airing live; the print notes are always posted at the same time I go live.
• Go to Traditional Cooking School on Facebook to view the Facebook Live replay.
• Subscribe to the #AskWardee podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, YouTube, or the Podcasts app. While you’re there, be sure to leave a rating and review!

Want To Get YOUR Question Answered?

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Or, you can…

• Tweet your question to @TradCookSchool on Twitter; use hashtag #AskWardee
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What are you doing to stay on Trim Healthy Mama during the holidays? Please share!