Are you trying to keep up with the keto diet during the holidays? Well, don’t worry! It’s totally possible.
This article will go over 13 tips on how to stay true to your ketogenic diet during the holiday season so that you are not derailed by all the food temptations during this time of year.
I’ve laid out all my best tips and tricks for saying no to sugar during the sweetest time of the year!
These 13 Top Keto Holiday Hacks will help you stay committed and show there is no need to get off course during the holidays!
If you’re looking for more tips on your keto journey, I know you’ll love my post about how to get into ketosis quickly!
13 Top Keto Diet Holiday Hacks
Okay, so you might be wondering, what even is a keto holiday hack?
Basically, we’re talking about arming yourself with all the tricks, strategies, and techniques to resist sugar and make wise decisions.
Hack your mindset about food and enjoy the full benefits of a keto lifestyle!
I’ll admit that when we first started on our keto journey many years ago, it was not easy for me!
Especially when thinking about what would happen to one of my favorite holiday traditions, baking Christmas cookies! It’s one of the things that motivated me to learn how to keto bake and ultimately led to this blog!
Now, I know how difficult it can be during the holidays to resist all the beautiful, sugary goodness and overeating we are used to. That’s why I created this list of ways to make it through.
1. Keep The Right Mindset
The holidays are only a few days a year. Don’t blow off all your hard work for a couple of days. Keep your head in the game, and don’t get off track because of the offered holiday fare.
Keep your head in the game by staying committed despite the offered holiday food. This is the most crucial step because it will keep you pushing forward through all the food temptations.
Maintaining the correct mindset keeps you firm in your dedication to keto.
If you let the opposing ideas in your mind take over and convince yourself that it’s too hard or not worth it, you will fail and go back to your old ways.
Remember that if it were easy, then everyone would be doing it. It’s not a walk in the park, but you can get through it!
2. Visualize Your Goals
There are two main reasons why we typically give in to temptations to eat holiday food.
First, it is hard to pass up seasonal foods, and second, you do not want to risk offending someone by refusing their food.
By thinking ahead, you have the opportunity to prepare yourself mentally and be ready to face temptation.
Eating before is a great strategy. Why not have a small meal to help you stay focused?
Going hungry at a party only sets you up to fail. Rather than focus on food, learn to accept the compliments you receive at the party.
Comments like “you really look great” can help keep your hands and eyes off all the food that will try to trip you up.
Remember, you’re setting an example by abstaining from sugary treats or overindulging. Even if you aren’t aware of it yet, others are watching.
3. Have A Ready Answer
When asked why you decided to eat a low-carb keto diet, have an answer ready.
Rehearse in advance the reason for your lifestyle choice.
It’s essential to have a ready answer when facing the holidays on a keto diet. Many people may not understand why you are choosing to eat a low-carb keto diet and may question your choices during holiday gatherings.
It’s important to have a rehearsed response that you can confidently provide when asked about your lifestyle choice.
By having a prepared answer, you can avoid feeling uncomfortable or defensive in social situations.
It can also help others understand that you are not saying no to them but to the foods that have the potential to get you off plan.
By explaining that you are choosing to stay on plan because it works for you and is helping you get healthy, you can help others understand the benefits of a low-carb keto diet.
Answers like, “I am choosing to stay on plan because it works for me and it’s helping me get healthy,” can help people understand that you are not saying no to them but to the foods that have the potential to get you off plan.
4. Drink More Water
Now is not the time to cut back on your water consumption. Drinking more water can help flush toxins from your body and keep cravings at bay.
Water is essential for many bodily functions, including digestion, absorption, and transportation of nutrients.
When you’re on a low-carb keto diet, drinking enough water can also help you feel full and satisfied, reducing the temptation to snack on high-carb foods.
During the holidays, it is easy to get caught up in the festivities and forget to drink enough water. However, by consciously drinking more water, you can stay hydrated and on track with your diet.
Aim for at least eight glasses of water daily, and consider carrying a water bottle to help you stay hydrated throughout the day.
Drinking more water during the holidays is a great way to stay on track with your keto diet. It helps flush toxins from your body, keeps cravings at bay, and supports many bodily functions.
So, prioritize your water intake this holiday season and enjoy the benefits of a healthy, hydrated body.
5. Exercise A Little More
Exercising a little more during the holiday season can help you stay on track with your keto diet and maintain your overall health and fitness.
With all the delicious holiday foods and treats, indulging and forgetting about exercise is easy.
However, by trying to stay active, you can burn off some of those extra calories and keep your body in shape.
One way to incorporate more exercise into your holiday routine is to start a new tradition of going for a walk or engaging in another physical activity after the holiday meal.
This can be a great way to spend time with family and friends while also getting some exercise.
In addition to burning calories, exercise has many other benefits for your health and well-being. It can help reduce stress, improve mood, and boost energy levels, which can be especially helpful during the busy holiday season.
If you’re short on time, try to sneak in some quick workouts throughout the day, such as a few minutes of jumping jacks or squats between holiday activities.
Even small amounts of exercise can add up and help you stay on track with your health and fitness goals.
6. Load Up On Vegetables
Loading up on vegetables during a holiday party is a great way to stay on track. With so many tempting holiday treats and indulgent dishes, it can be easy to forget about the importance of eating nutrient-dense foods.
However, by prioritizing vegetables, you can ensure that you’re getting the vitamins, minerals, and fiber your body needs to stay healthy.
One way to incorporate more vegetables into your holiday meals is to go for the dip and vegetable platter at a holiday party first.
Vegetables are low in carbs and high in fiber, which means they will keep you satiated longer and help prevent overeating later on.
Dips like guacamole and tzatziki are also typically low in carbs and can add healthy fats and protein to your diet.
Another option is to choose vegetable side dishes, but be sure to ask if they’re prepared with sugar. Many holiday side dishes, such as sweet potato casserole or glazed carrots, tend to be on the sweet side and may contain added sugars.
Instead, choose roasted or grilled vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts, asparagus salad, or green beans, which are delicious and nutritious.
In addition to being low in carbs and high in fiber, vegetables are also packed with antioxidants and other beneficial nutrients that can help support your immune system and overall health.
By prioritizing low-carb vegetables, you can stay satiated longer, prevent overeating, and get the nutrients your body needs to stay on track.
7. Bring Something
Bringing a dish to the holiday party is a great way to stay on track with your keto diet and ensure that you have healthy options to eat.
Whether you’re hosting the party or attending as a guest, offering to bring a dish can be a smart strategy for staying on track with your health goals.
If you’re hosting the party, you can be in charge of what is served. This means you can include many low-carb options, such as vegetable platters and keto-friendly holiday sides.
You can also offer sugar-free drinks and keto holiday desserts, which can be a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth without derailing your diet.
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If you’re attending the party as a guest, taking a healthy, low-carb option to share is a great way to ensure that you have something beneficial to eat.
It also gives you an opportunity to educate others on your lifestyle and share the benefits of a keto diet.
Consider bringing a salad, vegetable dish, or meat-based appetizer low in carbs and high in healthy fats and protein.
Bringing a dish to the holiday party is a smart strategy for anyone following a keto diet.
Whether you’re hosting the party or attending as a guest, offering a healthy, low-carb option can help you stay on track with your health goals and inspire others to make healthier choices.
So get creative in the kitchen and enjoy the benefits of a delicious, keto-friendly dish this holiday season!
8. Don’t Fall For The Trap
It’s important to resist the temptation to take “just one bite” of high-carb holiday treats. While this may seem harmless, it can quickly lead to a slippery slope of indulgence and derail your progress on your keto journey.
The reality is that very few people can pass the “just one bite” test. Once you start indulging in high-carb foods, it can be not easy to stop, and before you know it, you’ve consumed far more than you intended.
This can lead to feelings of guilt, shame, and disappointment, which can be detrimental to your mental health and motivation to continue on your keto journey.
It’s important to remember why you started this journey and stay focused on your goals.
Whether you’re trying to lose weight, improve your health, or feel better, taking “just one bite” of high-carb foods can spiral you out of control and undo all the progress you’ve made.
Instead of resisting temptation, try to find healthier alternatives to your favorite holiday treats. Many delicious keto-friendly recipes are available online that can satisfy your sweet tooth without derailing your diet.
You can also focus on enjoying the company of friends and family rather than the food by engaging in activities and games that don’t revolve around eating.
By staying committed, you can enjoy the holiday season while staying on track with your keto diet.
9. Ace The Test
While you may pass the holiday meal test by choosing low-carb options, lingering at the table when sweets are passed can be too great a temptation to resist.
Even a tiny piece of dessert can cause your sugar cravings to soar, making it challenging to stay on track. To avoid temptation, try to leave the table once the meal ends and focus on other activities that don’t involve food.
If you need to stay at the table, sip some coffee or tea, which can help improve focus and concentration and reduce cravings.
You can also have a few berries with whipped cream as a low-carb dessert option. Berries are naturally low in carbs and high in fiber and antioxidants, making them a delicious treat.
Or bring a serving of dark chocolate so you don’t feel deprived.
10. Indulge
Wait, what??? By indulge, I mean eat more of what is permitted on the plan.
Have more protein and more low-carb vegetables. Having more of what’s on the plan will help you not feel deprived.
The extra low-carb-friendly foods will help you stay full longer, making it less likely to fall for the high-carb options.
So, go ahead and indulge a little!
Indulging during the holiday season doesn’t have to mean indulging in high-carb, sugary treats. Instead, it means eating more of what is permitted on your keto plan, such as protein and low-carb vegetables.
By indulging in more keto-friendly foods, you can avoid feelings of deprivation and make it easier to commit to the diet.
Eating more protein can help keep you full and satisfied, reducing the temptation to snack on high-carb foods.
Low-carb vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and spinach, are also great options that can provide important nutrients and fiber while keeping your carb intake low.
In addition to helping you stay on track with your diet, indulging in more keto-friendly foods can also help you avoid overeating.
When you’re feeling satisfied and full, you’re less likely to reach for high-carb snacks or desserts.
It’s important to remember that indulging doesn’t have to mean going overboard.
You can enjoy the holiday season without sacrificing your health and well-being by focusing on keto-friendly foods and indulging in moderation.
So go ahead and indulge a little, but remember to practice portion control and listen to your body’s cues.
11. Treat Yourself
Treating yourself during the holiday season doesn’t have to mean indulging in high-carb, sugary treats. Instead, it means finding other ways to honor your need to be a little decadent and create lasting memories.
One way to treat yourself during the holiday season is to gift yourself with an experience rather than using food as a reward.
This can be anything from a movie or play to a spa day at home or a new candle. By focusing on experiences rather than food, you can create lasting memories that will bring you joy long after the holiday season.
Another way to treat yourself is to focus on self-care. This can include getting enough sleep, praying regularly, doing scripture meditation, or taking a relaxing bath.
By prioritizing self-care, you can reduce stress and anxiety and improve your well-being.
It’s important to remember that treating yourself doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. Simple pleasures, such as walking in nature or spending time with loved ones, can be just as meaningful and enjoyable.
By gifting yourself with experiences and focusing on self-care, you can avoid the negative effects of indulging in high-carb treats.
So go ahead and treat yourself this holiday season, but remember that the best treats are the ones that bring you joy and lasting memories.
12. Don’t Keep The Leftovers!
It’s important to avoid keeping leftovers from holiday parties and events, as they can be a major temptation and derail your progress on your keto journey.
If you’re the host, make sure to share the leftovers with your guests so that you’re not left with a fridge full of treats.
Sharing the leftovers with your guests is not only a gracious gesture, but it can also help reduce the temptation to indulge by having them in your home.
If you’re attending a party and are offered leftovers, it’s important to pass up the option kindly. Remember, out of sight, out of mind!
Leftovers can be a slippery slope. Even if you intend only to have a small portion, it can be easy to overindulge and consume far more than you intended.
So be mindful of your food choices, and remember that the best leftovers are the ones you don’t have!
13. Use Exogenous Ketones To Stay On Track
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Consider using exogenous ketones that will naturally elevate your ketones, allowing you to enter into ketosis more quickly.
Being at a deeper level of ketosis will help reduce your appetite and carb cravings and give you lasting energy.
Our experience is that using exogenous ketones helps make the low-carb keto lifestyle a viable and sustainable option.
During the holidays, when food temptation is at its highest, using a keto supplement may be an excellent tool for keeping you committed to the keto diet.
Tag Us
I hope you try these holiday hacks and maybe a couple of my keto holiday desserts! If you do, I hope you will take a moment to tag us on Instagram and Facebook.
It’s what encourages us to keep sharing and perfecting our recipes.
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