11 Practical Tips for Staying Paleo for the Holidays

It’s that time of year where we all try to trick ourselves into believing that this time, we are actually going to be a Paleo Zealot for the next month and a half of parties, dinners, happy hours, and family gatherings. We tell ourselves this every year, and more than a few of us fail every year - I am at the front of that line. Not even Superman can avoid those cream cheese laden holiday cookies. So the question becomes, what are some REALISTIC ways that we can stay Paleo through the holidays? We all need some real solutions because let’s be honest, the advice to “always host the party” or “eat before you go to a party” is bullcrap and a cop-out, and we all know it.

Here are some practical, no bologna tips for staying Paleo during the holidays, as well as some just plain good thoughts that will make your holiday better, and you a lot more fun to be around….

1. Admit from the get-go that you are not perfect. This is not an admission of guilt, but more of a freedom you are giving yourself. You will drop the Paleo ball and it is ok. You will not die. Just understand the difference between dropping the ball occasionally and not trying at all. Eating a pack of red and green M&M’s during the afternoon holiday party at work is dropping the ball. Eaten them every day is not trying.
2. Figure out now what compromises you are and are not willing to make. If wheat kills you, but sugar doesn’t affect you too much, then maybe when you are faced with an office party filled with cookies and candy, you do the candy.
3. Take some time for you. Lots of time. Holidays are stressful, more so than life. Take some time out to focus on you, whether that is Pilates, gym-time, CrossFit, yoga, reflection or quiet reading. In short, remember what takes you to your “happy place” and make sure you visit there often.
4. Plan ahead. This is the hardest thing to do. Stop. Figure out where you are going and what is going to be there, and make a plan before you go. For example “I am only going to eat the little smokies and vegetable tray” or “Life without a piece of Aunt Marge’s pumpkin pie is not worth living.” Whatever your plan is, remember the immortal words of Nike - Just Do It. No excuses.
5. Bring Paleo. If the dish you are bringing to the party isn’t Paleo, then expect there to be nothing there to be Paleo. Duh… Fruit tray, vegetable tray, mashed rutabagas, turkey…..that’s all caveman, no question.
6. Follow the 2/3 rule. This is a great technique when you are faced with some non-Paleo holiday favorites and don’t want to completely deprive yourself. Fill your plate with 2/3 Paleo foods and 1/3 non-Paleo treats. This provides a great balance and 1/3 of your plate ought to be just about enough room for the aforementioned pumpkin pie by Aunt Marge.
7. Holiday dinners are easy to eat Paleo. It generally is not a matter of “What can I eat” it is a matter of “What CAN’T I eat.” Turkey, vegetables, fruit platters, homemade gravy and mashed potatoes (if this is you). My family is probably the worst offenders when it comes to lack to vegetables and I can still eat Paleo at the main holiday meal, and so can you.
8. Give thanks for your family. Even when it feels they might be trying to sabotage your efforts by bringing you another slice of that irresistible cake or helping of cornbread dressing, remember they are most likely trying to show you they love you through these offerings. Love them for it, because they are probably the only family you will get.
9. Eat out for Thanksgiving. Eating out can be the biggest Paleo blessing. You will not offend Granny by not eating her marshmallow salad when everyone eats at Denny’s. Avoid the “Thanksgiving” dinner when you go out. Order off the regular menu. It is way easier to pick through what is in that than to stick to your Paleo plan ordering off the special menu.
10. Make it a team effort. If you have a Paleo buddy, you can help each other stay on the right path. Either that or you will not feel as guilty when you both cheat… Just sayin’.
11. Last but not least, eat at home before you go. You may be saying “Now wait just a darned minute, Caleb, didn’t you just say at the beginning of this article that that the advice to eat before the party is a BS cop-out?” And, yes, I sure did say it was a cop-out – because most people just toss off this advice without thinking it and without understanding why this advice works. If you are full before the party, or at the very least not starving, it is less likely you will cheat at the party. It is highly likely that you will be exponentially less fun.

I’m not going to pretend that staying Paleo throughout the holiday season is the easiest thing you will do – it’s not. It can be very difficult. But if you adopt the same no-excuses attitude that led you to success with the Paleo lifestyle the rest of the year and use some of the tips above, you can start 2014 healthier than you are today.

Live Paleo,

Caleb