Staying healthy during the holidays: Tips from a dietician

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The holiday season is in full swing, and with all the festive food around, it can be tough to resist overindulging.

We spoke with Callan Wall, a registered dietitian and the founder of Tula Wellness, to get some expert tips on maintaining balance during the holidays.

One common mistake many people make is skipping meals earlier in the day to “save room” for the big meal later. However, nutritionists actually recommend the opposite. Wall says it’s important to arrive at holiday functions already fueled by eating regular meals throughout the day. Skipping meals can actually backfire, leading to overeating when you finally sit down to eat.

Another key to avoiding overeating is making sure your meals are balanced. Wall advises including protein, healthy fats, and fiber to help regulate your blood sugar and curb cravings. This helps keep you satisfied without overindulging.

While these tips can help in the short term, Wall emphasizes that the real key to long-term success is healing your relationship with food. She says:

“I always recommend healing your relationship with food and working with someone to heal your relationship with food long term so that holidays just feel exactly what they are there for… all about connection and love with people that you love in your life. I think the all or nothing on the wagon, off the wagon is what can lead to that sense of failure people feel.”

Wall also advises against restricting yourself to just “holiday foods” or treating them as special exceptions. Instead, she encourages making your health a priority year-round, allowing you to enjoy the holidays without feeling like you’re missing out or overdoing it.