Also known as Chanukah, or the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah is celebrated with family, friends, and, of course, delicious food, like latkes, typically fried in oil. The holiday celebrates a miracle during the Maccabean Revolt, when menorah oil is said to have lasted for eight days.
Remember, Calibrate members, holidays don’t have to derail your progress, or even interfere. We’re sharing some tips to help support you as you navigate the food pillar during this festive time. Let’s dig in:
- Follow “mostly good”. First things first: Allow yourself to celebrate Hanukkah with the traditional foods you love in moderation (even latkes or sufganiyot). At Calibrate, nothing is entirely off limits; it’s all about balance. Just return to your normal the next morning. Consistency is way more important than perfection.
- Think beyond the triangle. Remember, it’s okay if you don’t know the color of every single item you put on your plate. The goal at Calibrate is to shift your broader eating patterns instead of micromanaging every single thing you eat, especially at the holidays.
- Keep your breakfasts light yet filling. Think back to your first food lesson: Overeating, or even “carb-loading,” first thing in the morning will flood your body with glucose, causing an overproduction of insulin leading to weight gain and energy loss. If you know that any of these eight days ahead will be filled with parties or family gatherings, don’t skimp on breakfast and focus on foods that are full of fiber, protein, and healthy fats for sustained energy throughout the day. Try a Baked Berry Yogurt Custard or a Sheet Pan Veggie Breakfast Bake.
- Snack smart. Whether you’re hosting or attending a Hanukkah celebration, plan to have a healthy, protein-packed snack beforehand so you don’t find yourself making less than ideal food choices out of hunger. It can be as simple as veggies and hummus, fruit and almond butter, or even some nuts and cheese.
- Know your oils for cooking/frying. It’s true that oil can be healthy fat, but the type (and moderation) is key. Opt for olive or avocado oils which are rich in monounsaturated fats, and limit vegetables or tropical oils like coconut or palm. Experiment with using cooking sprays, or even chicken or vegetable broth to cut down on your oil consumption. Or try baking or air frying your latkes or sufganiyot instead of deep frying. (Bonus: this helps reduce oil volume and prep time too.)
- Go green with your latke vegetables. Although white potatoes are traditionally used in latkes, any shredded vegetable like sweet potatoes, carrots, zucchini, or beets can be mixed with egg to bind it together, then baked or air fried. (Plus, these veggies can all sustain you with way more vitamins and fiber than white potatoes!) Serve latkes with unsweetened apple sauce, or set them out on a charcuterie board surrounded by other green foods like nuts, olives, grapes, or pickles.
- Get dark with your gelt. Choose dark chocolate (at least 70%) gelt that you can feel good about eating. We love Divine’s 73% kosher-certified set, or you can make them yourself using your own favorite dark chocolate bar and toppings (little ones will love helping with this too).
- Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. The holidays can be so busy that it’s easy to forget your water goal (to drink half of your body weight in ounces each day, up to 120 ounces). Make sure you’re drinking enough water so you don’t feel dizzy or distracted. Stock your fridge with water-rich fruits and vegetables like watermelon, strawberries, cantaloupe, peaches, oranges, cucumber, lettuce, zucchini, celery, tomatoes, bell peppers, cauliflower, cabbage, and grapefruit. Yogurt is also surprisingly hydrating as well. Bonus: all of these examples are also great natural sources of fiber too.
- Fill your plate once. Add a mixture of foods to your plate to give your body a variety of protein, fiber, and healthy fats. Once you’re done, wait about 20 minutes to allow your stomach to signal to your brain as to whether or not you are full. If you’re truly still physically hungry (Is your stomach still rumbling?), go back for a small second helping.
- Savor the sweet. If you’ve been cutting back on your sweets during your Metabolic Reset thus far, your taste buds (and habits) may have changed since last year, and certain classic Hannukah dishes may now seem too sweet. Listen to your body instead of eating something just because it’s what you expect yourself to do. Try something that’s packed with nutrient-rich ingredients, like these Roasted Spiced Pears with Walnuts or Tahini Date Energy Bites.
- Don’t feel forced to clear your plate. Many of us were raised with the “finish your plate” mantra and it can be a tough one to shake. Having a plan for leftovers (see below) can help combat feelings of guilt around food waste.
- Sharing is caring. If you’re hosting, stock up on take-away containers so family and friends can pack up leftovers. This is a great way to not only share the love, but to clear temptation out of the house. You can also bring leftover food to work, your synagogue, or a local shelter that accepts perishable donations.
- Stretch your legs. Recruit family and friends to take a short walk or spend some time outside after your meal. Is there snow where you live? Build a snowman with your family or walk to the local sledding hill. If the weather isn’t cooperating, try a creative indoor activity that gets you out of your chair, like a new twist on dreidel.
- Give yourself grace. If you’re hosting, show yourself some kindness. Cooking a big meal with lots of people can be stressful: Know your boundaries and set yourself up for success by planning and prepping what you can ahead of time. And don’t be mad at yourself for tasting while you cook—someone’s got to!
Finally, remember that no matter where Hanukkah falls during your Metabolic Reset, Calibrate is here to support you. We’re in it together. Happy Hanukkah!