Along with the joy of celebrating the holidays, we’re often faced with a number of concerns. For many of us, one of the biggest concerns is how we’ll manage our food choices. Below I’ve outlined some tips to help you maintain a healthy metabolism through this holiday season.

What is Metabolism?

Metabolism is a term used to describe all chemical reactions involved in maintaining the living state of the cells and the body. Maintaining a healthy metabolism and properly functioning digestive tract decreases bloating, increases energy, and allows for the assimilation of vitamins and minerals.

Managing Food Choices for a Healthy Metabolism

The holiday season is full of tough food choices; no one wants to feel deprived of enjoying delicious treats. Holiday gatherings are laden with rich sugary cakes, pies, and cookies. Fighting the temptation of these foods and not going overboard can be an overwhelming situation.

But planning ahead for these gatherings can help to ease your mind and belly. If your weekend plans include a couple of traditional holiday dinners and an afternoon cookie exchange, be sure to set aside some time to map out what your other meals will look like. Give your metabolism an extra boost with foods that are filling and tasty.

Hydrate Before You Caffeinate

For example, begin your day with a large glass of water. 20-30 ounces of water first thing in the morning can rev up a sleeping metabolism from a night of rest. This will also help you feel less bloated, increase overall energy, and have a more controlled appetite. In addition, keep alcoholic drinks to a minimum and fill up that nearby water glass to keep hydrated through the evening.

Pack Your Day With Proteins

Proteins help stabilize our blood sugar, keep us feeling full longer, and boost our metabolism. Therefore, you should increase your protein intake during the day with items like organic pasture-raised chicken eggs, organic chicken breast, turkey, and grass-fed beef with a good amount of visible fat marbling. Beans are also a good protein choice that can help regulate blood sugar and are high in both soluble and insoluble fiber.

Boost Your Metabolism Naturally With These Tasty Combinations

Keep expanding your palate by trying different combinations of foods you already enjoy. Or branch out and try something completely new! Try a few of the foods listed here:

  • Organic Broccoli—Raw, steamed, or roasted broccoli is rich in calcium and vitamin C; it’s a fantastic combination for boosting metabolism.
  • Chili Peppers—Chili peppers, poblanos, red pepper flake, and hot sauce contain capsaicin which can rev up metabolism.
  • The Whole Egg—Egg yolks are full of vitamins, fatty acids, and choline, a powerful compound that promotes the usage of fats in the body.
  • Organic Garlic—Garlic can help boost digestion by reducing inflammation, reducing fatigue, and boosting energy.
  • Oolong Tea—This ancient Eastern elixir aids in digestion and increases metabolism. Oolong tea is full of weight-loss-boosting catechin antioxidants that aid in the detoxification of the body.

Filling your holidays with mindfulness and preparation can help eliminate some of the holiday stress. Making the best food choices we can means acknowledging these choices, enjoying them, and letting them go without judgment.


Karey is a regular contributor to the Live Your Value team. Be sure to check her recent posts about mindful eating during the holiday season and the truth about good fats. Thanks for reading and remember, today and every day, Live Your Value one nutritional choice at a time!

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