Chinese New Year is coming up! This is a wonderful time to get together with friends and family, look back on the year that was, and recharge your hopeful energy for the coming year. It’s a time to start fresh, be kind and generous to those you care about, and connect with your loved ones for celebrations. Of course, a big part of many celebrations is eating. During this season, there will be a lot of times when you’ll be invited to enjoy a large meal, often at a restaurant.

These gatherings can be very enjoyable, but also difficult for anyone who is on a diet plan or otherwise watching their health. Chinese New Year food is certainly delicious, but it isn’t always healthy.

The good news is you don’t need to sacrifice a nice family gathering or even a meal at a restaurant. You can still enjoy the celebration, have a great time, and socialize with loved ones while also eating healthy and minimizing the potential damage to your health.

Here are five health tips for balancing Chinese New Year celebrations with your health and diet.

Limit Unhealthy Options

You’ll probably run into quite a few unhealthy foods during your celebrations, from deep fried options to those filled with lots of oil, sodium, or other ingredients that aren’t great for your health. The key is to identify them and limit the amount you eat.

However, you don’t need to deprive yourself entirely. If there are certain foods that you dream about all year or that truly make Chinese New Year celebrations memorable for you, you can still indulge responsibly. Just take note of what you’re eating and stick to your favorites, rather than trying everything. This will prevent you from going overboard.

Choose Protein and Fiber

Protein and fiber keep you feeling full longer, so you eat less and still feel satisfied. Choose healthy proteins during your meal, such as lean meat and skinless poultry, as well as whole grains, which are high in nutrients and fiber. As an added bonus, foods such as yogurt or tempeh don’t just contain protein, they are also good sources of probiotics, which can improve your digestive health.

Stay Hydrated

Many restaurant foods are high in sodium, which can leave you feeling bloated, tired, or dehydrated. Counteract this by drinking plenty of water. Take frequent sips of water and refill your glass often. If you’re doing this, you’ll be less likely to overeat. Having an anti-inflammatory drink, such as ginger tea or green tea, can help improve your overall wellness and give your body the health boost it needs.

Don’t Skip Meals

It’s tempting to skip some meals in the run up to the Chinese New Year celebrations. You may think this helps you “save calories” for the big meal. However, in reality, all it often does is cause you to eat more. If you walk into a big celebration when you’re hungry, you’ll be less likely to focus on portion control and making healthy diet choices. Instead, eat healthy food earlier in the day for breakfast and lunch. Then you’ll be able to go into dinner ready to have a sensible healthy meal. If you don’t have time to eat a full meal, consider a meal replacement such as a protein shake to keep you feeling full and energized. 

Watch How Foods Are Prepared

Sometimes, food that would otherwise be healthy becomes bad for your health because of how it’s prepared. For instance, vegetables are good for you, but that doesn’t mean you should be eating them deep fried or prepared with lots of oil and salt. Always watch for how foods are prepared before you pile up your plate. When in doubt, it doesn’t hurt to ask. By following these tips, you can have a happy and healthy Chinese New Year celebration and enter the new year feeling great. For more great tips like this, subscribe to our email list to make sure you get the latest blogs right in your inbox.