It’s the beginning of the holiday season again. Yep, that means sugary treats are going to start appearing everywhere, and breaking healthy habits starts to seem inevitable. I’m sure you know the usual suspects: festive parties, plates piled high with cookies featuring jack-o-lantern frosting faces, cupcakes with witch hats, cakes with gummy worms hanging off and let’s not forget the endless bowls of fun-sized candies, that when added together aren’t so fun for continuing to succeed at our fitness goals.
This year let’s beat out temptation before it even starts. Sticking to your routine will help you survive while still enjoying your costume parties and zombie-themed office days.
This year let’s beat out temptation before it even starts. Sticking to your routine will help you survive while still enjoying your costume parties and zombie-themed office days.
1. Get Your Grub in Advance
If you are attending any parties or events, have a healthy meal, large salad or even just a protein shake before leaving the house, so you won’t be starving. That way you can enjoy a small treat without feeling like you have to eat every piece of candy that crosses your path. Keep it seasonal with this protein smoothie recipe from Eat Spin Run Repeat that’s not only delicious, but has two servings of greens:
Ingredients:
• 1 serving Vega Protein & Greens Vanilla
• ½ cup almond milk (or your fave non-dairy beverage)
• ½ cup cold brewed chai tea
• ½ cup canned pumpkin puree
• ½ frozen banana
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp chai spice blend
• 1 tsp maple syrup (optional)
• 6 ice cubes
Instructions:
1. Add all ingredients except for the maple syrup and ice to your blender and blend until completely smooth.
2. Have a taste and add a drizzle of maple syrup if you want a sweeter smoothie.
3. Toss in the ice cubes and continue blending until no chunks remain.
2. Find Your Inner Chef
If you are invited to an event, offer to bring some healthy side dishes or desserts. You’ll be surprised how many others will be thankful to have a black bean hummus, quinoa salad, or protein packed pumpkin pudding around to take a break from all the sugary treats. If you’re not into cooking, just grab a fresh veggie tray from the grocery store or cut up some peanut butter or mint Vega Sport Protein Bars, throw them on a plate with some toothpicks, and voila - healthy Halloween is served!
3. Stash Your Snacks
Keep a stash of healthy snacks with you wherever you go to prevent pulling into the fast food drive through next time you’re stuck in overwhelming city traffic or diving into your neighbors giant bowl of mini-chocolate bars when you’re at the office. Keep some mixed nuts, veggie sticks or a few protein bars stashed in your gym bag, your desk, or your car.
4. Harvest Time
Eating in season is an incredibly easy way to get the most nutrient density out of our meals. Mother Nature provides all the natural treats we need! Try pomegranates, persimmons, sweet potatoes, apples, blackberries, dates, or figs this Halloween.
Among all the nutritional tricks and treats this time of year, it’s important to make yourself a priority with proper nourishment. Making choices to take care of yourself is a strong decision and keeps you from backpedaling on all the gains you’ve made during the summer months.
About Paige Snyder
Paige Snyder is a plant-based nutritionist at Vega, empowering her audiences through education. She specializes in sport performance, stress management, and achieving your optimal weight through clean, plant based foods. When she’s not sweating it out in dance class, you’ll find her in the kitchen creating innovative raw desserts and smoothies. Paige is certified in Plant Based Nutrition through e-Cornell, and is currently completing her Masters in Nutrition from the University of Bridgeport.
