Health Is Your Most Valuable Asset

The holidays are a time for celebration, indulgence, and connecting with loved ones. But now that it’s the new year, it’s a good time to recommit to healthy eating. Being intentional with good choices helps to maintain health and energy levels, potentially avoiding costly consequences down the road. Financial budgeting and planning principles can also apply to eating and drinking. Consider the following strategies:

1. Audit Your Holiday Health Habits

Just as it’s good to review financial portfolios periodically, start the new year by conducting a personal “health audit.” Take stock of food and beverage choices at the end of 2024.

• Celebrate successes: Acknowledge and celebrate good choices and the impact they will have on health now and in the future.
• Learn from missteps: Look at excesses as a learning experience. What’s done is done but consider simple changes to plan differently next time. Keep reading!
• Rebalance the portfolio: Start the new year with a focus on resetting healthy habits, much like rebalancing investments after a large expenditure.

2. Create a “Health Budget”

Just as it’s not wise to spend money before knowing the budget, the same financial principles can apply to eating and drinking.

• Set limits: Decide ahead of time how many indulgent meals or treats to enjoy each week.
• Prioritize “spending:” Save indulgences for truly special occasions or unique and rare dishes.
• Monitor intake: Track food and drink choices, just like tracking expenses. Apps can make this easy and can highlight patterns that might need adjusting.

3. Evaluate the “Return on Investment”

Think of every food or drink choice as an investment in overall well-being. Some options deliver a higher “ROI” than others.

• High-value choices: Lean proteins, fresh vegetables, whole grains, and nutrient-dense snacks offer sustained energy and health benefits. These have a higher return on health than other choices.
• Low-value temptations: Sugary cocktails, processed snacks, and heavy desserts can provide short-term satisfaction but may cause sluggishness, aches and bloat.
• Strategic splurges: If there is a special event with a particularly attractive menu, then choose quality over quantity. A small portion of something delicious and decadent is much more satisfying than a large serving of something mediocre.

4. Avoid the “Buy Now, Pay Later” Mentality

In finance, deferring costs often comes with hidden consequences – interest, fees, or long-term debt. The same is true for overindulging in unhealthy food and drinks.

• Recognize hidden costs: Overeating or drinking excessively can lead to weight gain, energy crashes, and even long-term health issues like high blood pressure or diabetes.
• Minimize the “debt:” Balance indulgent meals with lighter, nutrient-dense ones. If a heavy dinner is on the calendar, eat lighter ahead of the event. And then plan for moderation.
• Hydrate wisely: Limit sugary drinks and alcohol, which are like high-interest credit cards that impact health – they can dehydrate, add empty calories, and impact sleep quality as well.

5. Think Long-Term, Not Short-Term

In finance, successful investing is about delayed gratification and long-term planning. This same mindset works for health too!

• Plan ahead: Eat a healthy snack before parties to curb the temptation to overindulge. Just as shopping on an empty stomach isn’t wise, the same holds true for showing up to a buffet ravenous.
• Balance indulgence with activity: Consider exercise as a “health savings account.” Go for a walk before or after big meals, and plan activities to burn extra calories.
• Protect future health: Every healthy choice is an investment in feeling good tomorrow and maintaining long-term vitality.

Invest in Yourself

The holidays should be enjoyed! An occasional indulgence won’t ruin consistently smart choices – or the bank account. Starting now with healthy choices makes it easier to stay on track and meet health goals in the new year. What better way to start the new year than by feeling energized and confident!