Holiday treats don’t start with the holidays. They start with the release of all things pumpkin spice. However, that doesn’t mean you get to go wild and still keep your figure. If you’re looking to lose weight, you can’t keep telling yourself that you’ll start after the holidays. Build good habits now and you’ll be able to achieve what you want.

Sugars & Fats

Your biggest dietary enemies this season are the sugars and fats lurking in every single holiday treat. From the whipped cream used on coffees to the butters used in cookies, these two ingredients are calorically dense and nutritionally empty. This means they don’t give your body the vitamins and minerals needed to remain healthy and active. Instead, they fill up your stomach, making you feel bloated without feeling satiated. This leads to eating even more to try and not feel hungry.

Veggies, Veggies, Veggies

In the end, only a balanced diet will help you avoid the traps of the holiday season. If you’re full on healthy things, like spinach, chicken breasts and olive oil, it’ll be easier to turn down unhealthy treats since you’ll be more aware of how bad those treats will make you feel after eating them. Ideally you’ll want a diet rich with a variety of veggies, some whole grains and some protein. For your drink of choice, stick to water. You can also have black coffee or tea with honey as a sweetener.

Balance

While basic nutrition remains the same regardless of the seasons, that doesn’t mean you can’t indulge a little bit. After all, when else does egg nog hit the shelves? To enjoy treats without sabotaging your dietary hard work, give yourself two days each month to enjoy what you want.