5 Habits That Keep Me Feeling Healthy Through the Holidays as a Mom

The holidays can be beautiful—and completely exhausting. Between the sugar rushes, disrupted routines, and mental load of keeping everyone else happy, it’s easy to feel drained, bloated, and off track by January.

But here’s the truth: staying “healthy” during the holidays doesn’t mean restricting, skipping dessert, or adding more to your already full plate. It’s about small, consistent habits that help your body and mind feel steady in the chaos.

Here are 5 habits that actually keep me feeling my best through the holidays:

1. I don’t skip breakfast.

Even on the busiest mornings, I start my day with protein and fiber—think eggs and veggies, Greek yogurt with chia and berries, or a smoothie with protein powder and flaxseed.

Skipping breakfast messes with blood sugar and cortisol (your stress hormone), which means you’re more likely to crave sugar and carbs later. Starting your day nourished keeps energy steady and helps you stay grounded when holiday stress hits.

🧠 Science says: Balanced breakfasts with protein and fiber improve blood sugar control, mood, and appetite regulation throughout the day.

2. I move my body for energy, not punishment.

During the holidays, my workouts aren’t perfect—and that’s okay. Some days it’s 20 minutes of strength training, other days it’s a walk while my kids scoot on our block.

The goal isn’t to “burn off” pie. It’s to remind my body that movement is fuel for my mental health. Even short bouts of movement boost serotonin, lower cortisol, and help you sleep better.

3. I hydrate (like it’s my job).

Between travel, salty foods, and alcohol, hydration takes a hit this time of year. I aim for 70–90 oz of water daily and make it easy with sparkling water, my daily matcha and even a Olipop here and there. Dehydration shows up as fatigue, headaches, and sugar cravings—and nobody needs that while wrapping gifts at midnight.

4. I set boundaries around stress.

Not every event deserves your energy. If every night is booked, you’ll crash—and your hormones (and immune system) will feel it. Saying “no” isn’t selfish; it’s self-preservation. Protecting downtime means I show up as a calmer, happier mom—and my kids feel that, too.

🧠 Science says: Chronic stress raises cortisol and inflammation, both of which can disrupt sleep, digestion, and metabolism.

5. I don’t label food as “good” or “bad.”

Holiday food is meant to be enjoyed. I practice what I teach—build balanced plates most of the time (protein, fiber, color, and carbs I love) and eat dessert without guilt. Restriction fuels the “all-or-nothing” spiral. Nourishment with flexibility keeps your metabolism and mindset stable long after the holidays.

Health in motherhood isn’t about perfection—it’s about resilience. When you take care of your blood sugar, movement, and mindset, you can actually enjoy the holidays instead of surviving them.

You deserve to feel good in your body this season—without shrinking yourself or your joy, and without just assuming you'll be at your wit's end for 2 months and then start from scratch in January.

5 “Healthy” Foods That Actually Spike Blood Sugar

We’ve all been there — reaching for something that sounds healthy, only to feel that crash-and-burn energy dip a couple hours later. Here’s the deal: not all “healthy” foods are created equal when it comes to blood sugar.

Blood sugar matters because those big spikes (and the crashes that follow) can leave you moody, tired, craving all the things, and constantly wondering why your metabolism feels stuck.

Let’s talk about 5 foods that seem healthy but can sneakily send your blood sugar on a rollercoaster — plus some swaps and strategies to keep you balanced.

1. Granola

It’s marketed as wholesome, crunchy, and natural… but most store-bought granolas are loaded with sugar (sometimes more than a dessert).

• Why it spikes: A mix of oats + added sweeteners (honey, maple syrup, brown sugar) means high glycemic load.

• Better option: Look for lower-sugar granolas (<6g per serving), or make your own with oats, nuts, and seeds. Pro tip: pair with Greek yogurt for protein so your blood sugar stays steadier.

2. Juice (even “100% fruit juice”)

Orange juice, apple juice, green juice… it’s basically just concentrated sugar without the fiber.

• Why it spikes: Stripped of fiber, juice hits your bloodstream like soda, with a glycemic load similar to a sugary snack.

• Better option: Eat the whole fruit! Fiber + chewing slows things down. If you really want juice, pair it with eggs, yogurt, or another protein.

3. Rice Cakes

Yes, they’re low-calorie. Yes, they feel “diet-y.” But they’re basically a fast-track starch.

• Why it spikes: Rice cakes have one of the highest glycemic indexes of any snack food (meaning they act almost like straight glucose).

• Better option: Swap for a brown rice cake and top with nut butter + chia seeds for protein/fiber/fat to balance it out.

4. Gluten-Free Packaged Foods

Gluten-free ≠ blood sugar friendly. A lot of gluten-free breads, crackers, and baked goods are made with refined starches like rice flour, potato starch, or tapioca.

• Why it spikes: Those starches digest quickly, leading to high glycemic load, even if the label looks “clean.”

• Better option: If you’re gluten-free, look for whole-grain blends (quinoa, millet, buckwheat) and add protein/fiber-rich toppings.

5. Smoothies (store-bought or homemade without balance)

Throwing fruit, juice, and a little ice into a blender? That’s basically liquid sugar.

• Why it spikes: All fruit + no protein, fat, or fiber = a blood sugar surge. Even bananas + berries alone can do it if not balanced.

• Better option: Build your smoothie with the trifecta — protein powder or Greek yogurt, greens or chia/flax for fiber, and some healthy fat (nut butter, avocado). Add a small portion of fruit for flavor instead of 3 cups of fruit.

Bottom Line:

Foods aren’t “bad” or “good.” But when it comes to blood sugar, context matters. If you pair carbs with protein, fiber, and healthy fat, you’ll blunt the spike, keep cravings calmer, and avoid the mid-day crash that makes mom life feel impossible.

So, next time you reach for that “healthy” snack, ask: Where’s the protein? Where’s the fiber? Where’s the fat? The goal isn’t perfection — it’s balance. And balance = energy, stable moods, and feeling like yourself again.

👉 Want more no-BS, mom-friendly nutrition tips like this? Join me inside Nourished Collective this month — where we take these science-backed strategies and make them actually doable in your real mom life.

“Fat-Burning Foods” Are a Lie

Let’s play a game.

Take a shot of espresso every time you see a headline that says:

“Top 5 Fat-Burning Foods You NEED to Eat!”

“Eat THIS Before Bed and Melt Belly Fat Overnight!”

“Boost Your Metabolism with This One Spice!”

If I had a dollar for every time I saw this garbage… I could fund my daughter’s entire preschool education and buy myself a new pair of leggings.

Let’s get one thing clear, mama: Food doesn’t burn body fat. Food is literally energy. That’s what calories are.

So the idea that eating a food can somehow torch your fat for you while you sit on the couch and scroll TikTok? That’s not metabolism.That’s marketing.

Now, before the green tea and cayenne pepper police come for me, let’s break it down:

The “Fat-Burning Food” Scam

What these articles really mean is that certain foods may have a thermic effect (meaning your body uses energy to digest them), or they can help you feel full longer, or balance blood sugar. Cool. Science. I’m here for it. But does eating a few slices of pineapple or drinking lemon water melt belly fat? Nope.

Fat loss comes down to a mix of:

• Energy balance (yes, even without tracking every bite)

• Hormone health

• Muscle mass

• Stress, sleep, and consistency over time

Which brings me to this:

What Moms Actually Need to Focus On

You’ve got better things to do than play detective with Pinterest “fat-burning smoothie” recipes. Let’s simplify. If you're a postpartum (or just plain busy) mom, here's where to put your energy instead:

1. Prioritize Protein at Breakfast

Start your day with 25–35g of protein to stabilize your blood sugar, reduce cravings, and support lean muscle. Yes, even if you’re eating it one-handed while nursing.

2. Eat Fiber Like a Grown-Up

Not for the fat burning. For the blood sugar. For the digestion. For the "not snapping at your kid at 3pm" energy. Think 6–8g of fiber per meal. Beans, veggies, chia, whole grains — you don’t need to juice a celery stalk to be healthy.

3. Strength Train Like You Mean It

Forget the “skinny arms in 5 minutes” workouts. Lifting weights (or just bodyweight to start) builds lean muscle, which helps your body use energy more efficiently. That’s the actual metabolic magic.

4. Walk Like It’s Your Job

Walking is underrated. It reduces stress, supports fat loss, and gets you out of the house. Bonus points if your toddler is strapped in and not throwing goldfish at your head.

5. Sleep When You Can, and Be Kind When You Can’t

Because cortisol, mama. You’re not broken — you’re exhausted. Honor your body’s need for rest, not just punishment.

TL;DR: Fat-Burning Foods Aren’t Real.

But real results come from real habits. No gimmicks. No powders. No metabolism tea required. If you’re tired of the clickbait and want evidence-based, mom-friendly wellness — you’re in the right place.

Want help actually making this doable with your schedule and your snacks?

Check out my Nourished Mama on Demand and my 12-Week Postpartum Weight Loss Accelerator Program to start making it happen!