Paleo on Christmas? Don’t Expect Perfection

Before you started Paleo, you might have thought about Christmas not just as a time to 
gather with friends and family, but also to enjoy chocolate in your stocking, big breakfast 
on Christmas morning, hot cocoa in the evening, and plenty of other sweets, treats, and 
lavish dinners. 

However, if you want to stick to the Paleo diet, you will need to make some adjustments 
with what you do eat, though it doesn’t have to feel like you are missing out. Here are 
some things to know about being Paleo during Christmas, and why you shouldn’t expect 
perfection.

Start by Setting Your Priorities

This is really important because it allows you to get into the right frame of mind before 
the holidays begin. You know what your priorities are, and those will help you to stay on 
track or make compromises during the holiday season and throughout Christmas. If 
your priority is to stay on plan strictly, then make sure you plan for it. If you decide to 
allow one treat on Christmas, that is okay too, as long as it is something you have 
worked out for yourself.

You Don’t Always Have to Be Perfect

Many people who are following a healthy way of eating don’t do it 100% of the time. You 
can follow the 80/20 rule during the holidays, where you follow Paleo 80% of the time, 
and go a little of course 20% of the time. This doesn’t mean you necessarily plan on 
doing it, but sometimes situations arise where you are willing to have something with 
bread, sugar, or grains, and feel okay about it because you follow your Paleo plan the 
rest of the time.

Again, everything you decide to do is completely up to you, and not something you have 
to reason or explain to anyone else.

Making Compromises When it’s Worth it

When it comes to what people term “cheats”, it is entirely up to you in terms of what you 
deem appropriate or worth it. You might absolutely love pecan pie more than anything 
else, and feel like having some on Thanksgiving is worth it, after eating a healthy meal 
with all Paleo-approved foods. 

If this is something you feel is worth it, you won’t have guilt, and you may go another 
year on the Paleo diet before you have another slice of pecan pie. You can also 
compromise by having just half a slice as long as your other foods are all Paleo-
approved foods.

