Tips for healthy festive eating

Enjoy eating this festive season

The festive season is upon us—a time for celebration, connection, and yes, delicious food. But somewhere between the parties, family gatherings, and endless platters of treats, it’s easy to feel like healthy eating has left the building entirely. Maybe you’ve caught yourself thinking, “I’ll just start fresh in January,” or skipping lunch to “save room” for dinner, only to end up uncomfortably stuffed later.

Here’s the thing: the festive season doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing affair. You don’t need to choose between enjoying yourself and taking care of your body. With a few thoughtful strategies, you can savour the season’s pleasures while still feeling energised, healthy, and good about your choices.

Let’s explore how to navigate the festive period with balance, joy, and without the guilt.

Strategies for Festive Season

1. Eat regular meals

Don’t skip meals to ‘save up’ for eating later in the day which may lead to extreme hunger and eating until you’re uncomfortably full.

Instead, eat regular meals throughout the day, just as you normally would. Have a satisfying breakfast. Enjoy a proper lunch. You’ll arrive at evening celebrations with a clear head, comfortable hunger levels, and the ability to truly savor what you’re eating. You’ll be able to make conscious choices about what looks most appealing rather than desperately eating everything in sight.

2. Store your leftovers safely

The festive season can mean lots of cooking and often more food than you can consume in one sitting. The key is to store your leftovers safely. Make sure you put leftovers in the fridge before the two-hour mark to make sure they are safe to eat the next day. This simple habit ensures that your delicious Christmas ham, roasted vegetables, or summer salads remain safe to enjoy over the coming days.

3. Embrace Summer’s Seasonal Bounty

Summer is such a great time for fruit – so why not make a fruit platter to bring out while everyone is on holidays or make a big batch of fruit salad to enjoy over a few days. Stone fruits are at their peak, berries are sweet and plentiful, and watermelon is perfectly refreshing.

4. Stay Hydrated in the Heat

With the weather warming up and possibly some alcoholic drinks going around – remember to bring along your water bottle and keep hydrated.  For something different you can add slices of orange, lemon, lime or cucumber to a jug of cold water for a refreshing drink. Make hydration a priority by keeping your water bottle with you wherever you go.

5. Try to avoid ‘all or nothing’ thinking about food 

If you catch yourself thinking “oh well I’ve ruined it now, I’ll just keep going and start again fresh in 2026” you are not alone! 
As an alternative you could practise reminding yourself that each eating occasion is a new opportunity to listen to your body and choose foods that make you feel good. 

6. Get Moving and Enjoy the Sunshine

With the weather (hopefully) warming up let’s get the body outside and enjoying movement.  Enjoy a family walk along the beach, play a game of outdoor cricket or do some yoga. The festive season doesn’t mean your body stops craving movement—in fact, staying active can be one of the best ways to feel good throughout the holidays. Just remember to be sun smart: slip on sun-protective clothing, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat, seek shade, and slide on sunglasses.

What to do with those leftovers?

If you need help using up leftover Christmas ham, roast meats and potatoes or Christmas cake – see this link for recipes ideas from Taste:  https://www.taste.com.au/galleries/top-50-ways-use-up-christmas-leftovers/6zeh6d37?page=20

If you need any support with your diet or nutritional needs, you can contact the BCH Dietetics team at 1800 007 224 or check out our webpage HERE.

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