6 Hormone-Friendly Christmas Alternatives & Tips
Christmas is always an exciting time! It’s the time of year we can slow down, make memories with our loved ones and enjoy all the things that come with this season. Here are some ways to enjoy the season without sabotaging your hormones!
Make Your Decisions for You (Not Them)
When you’re with people who’ve known you a long time (and know how to push juuust the right buttons), it can be a challenge to tell people what you’re doing differently for your health in fear of judgement. It may even make them feel uncomfortable because they see how you’re taking steps towards better health that maybe they’re too afraid to make themselves.
We can encourage other people to make healthy changes, but ultimately each person makes their own choices. That being said, you can still make better choices for yourself over the holidays to support your goals. You never know who you’ll inspire to make healthier changes also!!
Choose Your Sugars Wisely
Remember that blood sugar regulation is key to healthy hormones. Whenever possible, opt for lower sugar options for drinks, meals and desserts. Choose Zevia over soda, organic wine, or sparkling water in place of that second glass of wine. Make sauces with natural sweeteners and whole foods and swap out regular sugar in baking for raw honey or coconut sugar.
Take A Healthier Spin On Baking Favourites
Bringing something to Christmas dinner? Why not try out some healthier dessert options? I’ve made plenty of gluten-free, dairy-free and naturally sweetened desserts that everyone enjoyed! Or make a regular version for everyone else and a smaller, healthier version of your favourite treat for yourself. There will likely be a few people who want to try it and enjoy it also. And if they don’t, more for you! ;)
Skip the Toxic Scented Christmas Candles, Soaps, Air Fresheners & Other Scented Favourites
If you haven’t made the switch to non-toxic candles, soaps and scented items, here’s why you should. Fragrances have been strongly linked to allergies and immune system toxicity according to the Environmental Working Group. These artificial chemicals also wreak havoc on our hormones. They’ve been shown to have moderate endocrine disrupting effects and be toxic to other organ systems also. So rethink buying those gingerbread or peppermint scented candles this year!
Create New Traditions
Oftentimes, many of the joys around Christmas are centred around food — usually unhealthy food. If you’re working on your health and hormones, why not try something new that other people will benefit from also? Create new traditions around something other than food, such as an annual family game or event. Be bold and suggest ways to shake up old traditions in healthier ways.
Last Minute Shopper? Gift Health This Christmas!
Have fun by giving health-promoting gifts!
Some ideas can include:
A supplement bundle to support their immunity, including a bottle of zinc, vitamin C and D3. Find Asher’s Immune Support Recommendations on FullScript here! (Simply create your free account)
An initial consultation, or bundle of sessions at Winnipeg Nutrition for the new year.
Healthier chocolate made with natural sweeteners
Homemade cookies made sugar and gluten-free
Non-toxic candles
A stainless steel water bottle to help reduce hormone-disrupting chemicals
A gift card for an activity they can enjoy with you that will get them moving
We wish all of our clients and friends a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays and we can’t wait to see you and support you again in the new year!
Asher Kleiber
Registered Holistic Nutritionist™
