If youâre looking to avoid the âholiday bellyâ... these tips are sure to help!
If you are having trouble viewing this email, [click here.]( [Dr. Steven Gundry | Founder, Gundry MD]( I donât mean to alarm you, {NAME}... But did you know the average American gains around 7 pounds during the holiday season?1 And to make matters worse â the sudden uptick in sweets, baked goods, and other seasonal âjunkâ can lead to all sorts of other problems like indigestion, fatigue, and poor sleep. So today, I thought Iâd share some advice on how to avoid the holiday âhealth slumpâ... Without sacrificing your favorite treats and traditions. Okay, let's get started:
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Dr. Gâs Holiday âSurvival Guideâ
1. Donât beat yourself up Okay, so maybe you overindulged a bit at the family potluck, or went a little crazy on a plate of holiday cookies⦠It happens! Nobodyâs perfect, and it doesnât mean itâs time to throw in the towel. Instead of letting that one âslip upâ ruin your whole day, week, or month â commit to making the NEXT thing you eat something healthy⦠Like a fresh salad, some steamed veggies covered with olive oil, or trying any of [these delicious holiday recipes on my Gundry MD YouTube channel](. Remember, consistency is king⦠so donât allow a few âslip upsâ to ruin your progress. 2. Preparation is key Around this time of year, patients always ask me: âDr. G â how do I resist unhealthy temptations at holiday gatherings?â The key is PLANNING AHEAD. Itâs your preparation for the party thatâs really going to make all the difference. Before going to a party I know will be full of unhealthy food â hereâs 3 things I always do:
- Eat half an avocado. This is a great way to get full before heading to a party. I also like eating carrots and celery dipped in guacamole. It gives you that crunch you might crave when you go to the gathering. Since youâll already have the crunch out of the way, you wonât be as tempted by a giant bowl of corn or potato chips.
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- Drink sparkling water with a bit of balsamic vinegar in it. It may sound strange, but it tastes similar to coke â and gives you that nice bubbly fullness in your stomach before heading out, which can really help you resist sugar-loaded sodas.
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- Eat some nuts. Before attending holiday gatherings, I like to prepare a special âcraving-fightingâ nut mix for me and my wife Penny. Hereâs how you make it:
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 Dr. Gâs Craving-Fighting Nut Mix
Ingredients - 1 Cup mixed nuts (equal parts pistachios, walnuts, and macadamia nuts)
- 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon minced fresh rosemary
- 2 cloves garlic, minced Instructions
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- Put half the oil in a small pan, along with the garlic and rosemary
- Heat over medium heat until garlic is golden brown and fragrant
- Toss with the nuts and the remaining olive oil, and serve warm or room temperature
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--------------------------------------------------------------- Not only does it taste delicious â it also fills you up with fiber, which helps keep you full and in control of your cravings and appetite.
3. Donât sweat the small stuff The holidays are a wonderful time of year â but also a stressful time of year⦠And when weâre stressed, thatâs when weâre most prone to overeating and giving into temptation. My suggestion? Go on a walk⦠read⦠or take a nice, relaxing hot bath at the end of those hectic days. Not only does this support your immune system⦠A warm bath also helps naturally lower those âstress hormonesâ in your body that cause tension, rapid aging, and digestive troubles. And it really helps you sleep! 4. Use healthy ingredient swaps Hereâs a handy list of âkitchen swapsâ you can print out and keep in your holiday recipe book. And as always, feel free to tweak things around and experiment!
- Flavor your treats with extracts like vanilla, almond, and peppermint instead of butter and sugar.
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- Use club soda or sparkling water instead of sweetened beverages.
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- Instead of sugar, use a lower-calorie substitute like Allulose, monk fruit, stevia, inositol, or inulin.
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- Replace cream cheese, sour cream, and mayo with plain goat or sheep yogurt.
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- Flavor drinks with any vinegar, freshly squeezed lemon or lime instead of sugar.
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- Cinnamon is incredibly healthy and can also add flavor to holiday-themed beverages.
5. Keep reading this newsletter! I love sharing my favorite health tips and tricks with you in these emails, so be sure to keep checking your inbox regularly for more recipes and holiday âhealth hacks.â Staying in touch with this community is also one of the best ways to stay accountable, motivated, and on track with your goals. So donât forget to keep writing back!
{NAME}, I know itâs difficult to say ânoâ sometimes (especially this time of year)⦠And to be fair, itâs perfectly fine to enjoy a few decadent treats every now and then. But keep in mind, staying healthy doesnât have to be a chore, or prevent you from enjoying the things you love. Because with a few simple kitchen swaps, relaxation techniques, and a bit of planning ahead⦠You can enjoy this season stress- and bloat-free, while avoiding those dreaded holiday pounds. Okay, you probably have a busy week ahead â so Iâll let you get going⦠Thank you so much for reading, {NAME}. And donât forget to let me know how you enjoyed these tips. :) Looking out for you, Steven Gundry, MD
[Steven Gundry, MD]( P.S. Feel free to send me any questions you have â holiday or otherwise. Reading your messages is one of the BEST ways to tailor the Gundry MD newsletter to your needs, after all. So feel free to email me at newsletter@gundrymd.com with any health questions, comments, or concerns you have. It could be about ANYTHING â Iâm all ears!
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Sources:
1. Melore C. Delicious end to 2020: Average American expects to gain 7 pounds this holiday season - Study Finds. Study Finds.
. Published 2020. Accessed November 22, 2023. Â Â This email was sent to {EMAIL} by newsletter@gundrymd.com [Edit Profile](Â |Â [Manage Subscriptions](Â |Â [VIP Discounts](Â |Â [Join Text Club]( 145 S. Fairfax Avenue, Suite 200, Los Angeles 90036
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