Ep. 06: Secrets to Guilt-Free Holiday Feasts…

Welcome back to The Balanced Blood Sugar Podcast! In today’s episode, we’re diving into how you can enjoy the holiday season without sacrificing your health goals. It’s all about progress, not perfection, and making smart choices that still allow you to savor your favorite holiday treats!

Join me as I share my personal story of hosting a keto Thanksgiving (spoiler alert: the sugar-free sweet potato casserole was a hit!) and give you some practical tips for how to make healthy swaps, enjoy treats in moderation, and make your healthier options feel festive. Plus, I’ll give you permission to indulge and savor—because, after all, the holidays are meant to be enjoyed!

Grab your favorite holiday mug and let’s chat about how we can stay on track while still loving every moment of the season!

Key Takeaways:

• Enjoy the Holidays Without Guilt
• My Keto Thanksgiving Story
• Portion Control & Moderation
• Make Healthy Feel Special
• Move While You Indulge

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• NEW Get Started Guide: Don’t forget to grab our brand new guide, which includes: a cheat sheet, some motivational prompts, and some dessert recipes!  HERE
• While our holiday recipes aren’t out yet, be sure to be on the lookout! We plan to release a holiday recipe book alongside our NEW workshop coming out next month.

Let's Talk:

• Got a question or want to share your own healthy holiday tips? Send me a message—I’d love to hear from you!

Stay Connected:

• Subscribe to The Balanced Blood Sugar Podcast for more tips and strategies to help you manage your blood sugar naturally.
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Thanks for listening!
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with someone who might find it helpful. Let’s help more people balance their blood sugar and live healthier, happier lives!

Medical Disclaimer:
The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet, exercise, or medication. The content shared here reflects my personal experiences and research but should not replace individualized medical care.

Transcript

Adrienne:
Hey friends! Welcome back to The Balanced Blood Sugar Podcast! I'm Adrienne Wheat, your host and health advocate, here to help you navigate the sometimes confusing world of food, blood sugar, and making choices that allow you to live your best life.

We’re just a couple of days away from the beginning of many peoples’ holiday seasons, and I know how exciting — and overwhelming — this time of year can be. The traditions, the celebrations, and of course, the food! For many of us, this season is centered around meals with family and friends. But that can also come with a bit of anxiety when it comes to staying on track with our health goals.

Here’s the thing though—we’re firm believers in enjoying the holidays without feeling guilty! Whether you’re celebrating with a big family gathering, hosting a quiet meal at home, or doing something in between, you can enjoy what you love while still making healthy choices. It’s all about progress, not perfection, and today we’re going to chat about how to do just that.

Grab your favorite holiday mug and let’s dive into how we can keep our favorite holiday traditions alive while balancing our blood sugar and making smart, but delicious choices.

Main Content: How to Enjoy the Holidays Guilt-Free

Adrienne:
Alright, let's be real—food is a huge part of the holidays, and we should be able to enjoy it! But if you're like many of my listeners, you’re probably also conscious of what you're eating, especially if you’re managing blood sugar or working on healthier habits. So today, I’m here to share some simple, practical strategies to help you balance holiday indulgence with your wellness goals.

1. My Keto Thanksgiving Experience

Adrienne:
Let me start by sharing a little story from our own holiday traditions. A few years ago, we decided to do something a bit crazy for Thanksgiving—along with the usual dishes that everyone expects, we made an keto-friendly Thanksgiving dinner! And let me tell you, we weren't sure how it was going to go over. I mean, we had sooo many options from sugar-free sweet potato casserole to mashed cauliflower, and even a sugar-free pecan pie (my FAVE!).

Here’s the kicker: our sugar-free sweet potato casserole was a bigger hit than the regular version! The flavors were there, the comfort was there, and people enjoyed having healthier options instead of just options that made them feel guilty and sugar-crashed afterwards.

We also did a sugar-free cranberry sauce that paired perfectly with the turkey, a keto stuffing (though I’ll admit, we’re still searching for a better recipe for that one! Anyone out there with suggestions, hit me up!). But overall, the feedback was awesome. It showed me that just because you're trying to keep things sugar-free or low-carb doesn’t mean you’re missing out on taste. Sometimes, it’s even better!

So, if you’re thinking about trying out some healthy holiday swaps, I encourage you to give it a go! Whether it's just one dish or the whole meal, there are ways to make your faves healthier, without sacrificing flavor. And hey, you might even impress your guests like we did!

2. Finding Healthy Alternatives for Holiday Faves

Adrienne:
Now, let’s talk about healthy alternatives. The holidays bring out our favorite comfort foods, but the good news is that with a little creativity, you can still enjoy them in a way that supports your health.

Take, for example, sweeteners. We swapped out regular sugar for allulose, monk fruit, and erythritol in our Thanksgiving desserts, and the results were amazing. Whether you’re making pies, cookies, or sauces, using these natural sweeteners can help you enjoy the same sweetness without the spike in your blood sugar, especially when you use a 1:1 sweetener like monkfruit/allulose or monkfruit/erythritol. 

Another swap we loved was using mashed cauliflower instead of mashed potatoes. It’s creamy, delicious, and pairs perfectly with holiday gravy. Honestly, I didn’t think I’d love it as much as I did, but it’s become a staple in our holiday meals!

3. Enjoying Treats in Moderation

Adrienne:
Now, I get it. There are some things that you just don’t want to mess with during the holidays. Maybe it’s Grandma’s pumpkin pie recipe or those iconic holiday cookies that have been passed down through generations. And that’s totally okay! You don’t have to say goodbye to it.

Moderation is the key here. If you want that slice of pumpkin pie, have it. But maybe you cut a smaller piece or enjoy it after a meal that’s rich in protein and fiber to help balance things out. Also, make sure you savor every bite and thoroughly enjoy yourself! Life is for the living after all, so LIVE IT UP!

But you can also try having it while you're moving! I know it sounds funny, but eating your treat while you’re out for a walk or doing a few squats can help keep your blood sugar in check and make you feel more energized. You’ll be burning off a few of those carbs while enjoying them—win-win! You’ll also feel so much better than if you just give in and overindulge!

And remember, it’s all about balance. If you have one indulgent treat, make your next meal a little lighter and more nutrient-dense. Don’t fall into the trap of all-or-nothing thinking. This ISN’T a diet, it’s a lifestyle! You can still indulge without derailing your goals.

4. Make It Fancy and Fun

Adrienne:
Another thing I love about the holidays is how we can make even simple things feel fancy and special. And this really helps when you’re trying to stick to healthier options.

For example, let’s say you’re making a low-carb mug cake or a sugar-free dessert. Don’t just throw it on any plate—dress it up! Use your favorite holiday mug, add a swirl of sugar-free whipped cream, and maybe even a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg. Presentation can make a big difference in how much we enjoy our food, and it can make your healthy choices feel indulgent!

Even a simple cup of coffee or tea can feel extra special when you add in those festive little touches. We eat with our eyes first, after all, and making things pretty helps you feel satisfied.

Conclusion: Live It Up This Holiday Season

Adrienne:
As we wrap up, I just want to encourage you all—live it up this holiday season! You don’t have to sacrifice the joy of sharing meals and treats with your family, but you also don’t have to sacrifice your health to do it. It’s about making smart swaps, finding balance, and savoring the moment.

And if you’re looking for more ideas, tips, and recipes to get you started, be sure to grab our NEW Get Started Guide. Inside, you’ll find a cheat sheet with easy swaps, motivation prompts to keep you focused, and yes—some delicious dessert recipes that you and your family will love. We’ll be coming out with a holiday recipe book alongside our NEW workshop training next month. But until then, I wanted to encourage you that you can totally enjoy the holidays without compromising your goals! Just start swapping your sweeteners and using moderation and movement to your advantage.

Thanks for joining me today, friends! I hope you feel inspired to make your holiday meals both delicious and healthy. I’m rooting for you, and remember—you’ve got this!

Until next time, stay balanced, stay mindful, and live it up this holiday season.