How to enjoy the festive season fully, mindfully and healthily

The festive season is all about sharing joyful moments with family and friends, delicious meals and nostalgic treats. It’s a time of celebration that can—and should—be enjoyed without guilt.

At Indi, we believe eating well means nurturing both body and mind, and that enjoyment and health can go hand-in-hand. Instead of restricting ourselves, we can focus on what to add to our diets to make each meal more balanced, nourishing and enjoyable. Here’s how you can indulge in the season’s best flavours while keeping your well-being in mind.

CREATE A BALANCED, DELICIOUS PLATE

The holidays are full of traditional meals, from hearty roasts to bountiful buffets. But these meals can easily be nutritious and filling when approached with balance in mind. The classic roast dinner, for example, is packed with ingredients that support health when prepared thoughtfully. Here are some tips to make your plate both delicious and nourishing:

• Focus on lean protein: Turkey or chicken is an excellent source of lean protein, which keeps you feeling full and helps maintain energy throughout the day. Protein also helps regulate blood sugar, reducing those post-meal energy crashes.
• Add colourful veggies: Bright vegetables like carrots, red cabbage, and leafy greens don’t just look festive; they’re rich in vitamins, fibre, and antioxidants. Preparing them with a drizzle of polyphenol-rich olive oil can boost absorption of fat-soluble nutrients and adds heart-healthy fats to your plate. These vegetables also contribute to satiety, helping you enjoy your meal without feeling overly full.
• Include nutrient-rich gravy: A warm, flavourful gravy made from bone broth not only enhances your meal but adds collagen, minerals, and amino acids, which are beneficial for gut health and joint support. Bone broth is also rich in protein and provides a comforting, nutrient-dense addition to your holiday meals.

ENJOY TREATS MINDFULLY

The festive season wouldn’t be complete without a bit of indulgence, and enjoying treats mindfully can make a big difference. Here are a few ways to savour sweets in a way that keeps you balanced:

• Start with savoury to curb glucose spikes: Eating something savoury before diving into sweets can help prevent sharp glucose spikes. Research suggests that consuming protein or fats before sugar can moderate the rise in blood sugar, leading to more stable energy and reduced cravings later on.
• Consider portion size: Sometimes, a small portion of a favourite treat is all you need to feel satisfied. By savouring each bite, you can enjoy the flavours and textures fully without feeling guilty or sluggish afterwards.
• Opt for festive, nutrient-rich treats: Dark chocolate and dates are excellent alternatives to overly processed sweets, providing fibre, antioxidants and polyphenols. Dark chocolate, in particular, contains flavonoids that can benefit heart health, and dates provide natural sweetness along with fibre, which aids digestion.

EMBRACE BALANCE OVER RESTRICTION

Balance doesn't mean taking away your favourite foods; it means adding more of the good stuff, so you feel satisfied and energised. Instead of aiming for strictly “healthy” choices, aim for a mix of nutrient-rich foods alongside your festive treats.

Indi Body blend provides essential nutrients that support digestion, energy levels and overall health, adding powerful plant compounds to your diet that can be hard to get through food alone. With 5.4 grams of fibre, it can also support your gut in digesting rich foods around this time of year. Indi's Gut Bar is another excellent way to pack in the good stuff. It contains Indi's Body blend and is an excellent, tasty option for on-the-go.

HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT TOO

One of the best things about a mindful approach to the festive season is that it allows you to enjoy everything without guilt. Being mindful of your health doesn’t mean eliminating foods, counting calories or sticking to rigid rules. Instead, it’s about listening to your body, enjoying what makes you happy, and choosing foods that make you feel good.

The festive season is a time for celebration, and that includes celebrating your relationship with food. With a focus on balance, adding nutrient-rich foods and enjoying each bite mindfully, you can create a holiday season that feels both indulgent and nourishing. Embrace the richness of holiday meals, share in joyful treats, and support your health without restriction.

This year, you really can have your cake and eat it too! Cheers to a mindful, healthy and joyful festive season.