Ah, the holidays. With so many family gatherings, Holiday parties and outings with friends, your meals and snacks may have been filled with delicious, yet unhealthy treats and drinks. After the new year, you might be feeling a little heavier or even sluggish and unfocused. Here are some tips to clean up your diet after the holidays:

1. First of all, don’t beat yourself up for indulging. The holidays come and go and embracing the treats can be one of the most fun parts of celebrating. What is done is done. Now is the time to focus on your health and the future.
2. Clean out your kitchen and pantry. Give away your remaining holiday treats (maybe bring them in the office for your coworkers to enjoy!) and clear out all of the unhealthy food that may have accumulated in your refrigerator and pantry. This can help you start fresh this year.
3. Once you’ve cleared out your kitchen, now you should begin to stock up on healthier items. Head to the grocery store and fill up on vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean proteins. Avoid food items with lots of sugar and items that are processed. A great tip to try when grocery shopping is to shop on the perimeter of the store (think meats, eggs, produce) and limit your shopping in the middle aisles which often contain unhealthy items (think cookies, chips, frozen pizzas).
4. Make sure you stay hydrated. You may have had more alcohol or sugary drinks during the holiday season and now your body is screaming for hydration. Aim to drink about half of your body weight in ounces of water each day. If you hate the taste of regular water, try adding different fruits to your water to naturally infuse flavors and help you drink more.
5. With your newly stocked, healthy kitchen, start to eat more vegetables and fruits. Aim to fill half of your plate with vegetables and fill the rest of your plate with whole grains, healthy fats, and lean proteins. A great example of a healthy meal would be quinoa, grilled chicken, avocados and other assorted vegetables. Also, eat fruit as your snacks throughout the day. Aim to avoid excess sugars, processed and junk foods, as well as too much dairy and unhealthy fats.
6. Try eating more plant-based meals to detox from the heavy holiday meals and treats you may have eaten. If you are having trouble finding the time to cook each meal and are tempted to grab a quick and easy pizza, try meal prepping to have healthy meals and snacks ready to go when you’re hungry.
7. Start an exercise routine. To help you shed any unwanted weight you may have gained during the holiday season, start exercising more regularly. Choose an exercise that you love to help you stick with your goals.

It doesn’t have to be overwhelming to start eating healthier and feeling better after a holiday full of indulging. Start slow and soon you’ll be surprised at how much progress you’ve made and more importantly how much better you feel!

Did you indulge a little too much this holiday season? How will you begin to clean up your diet this year? Share with us below!