The holidays can feel like a marathon—especially when you’re trying to stay grounded, healthy, and steady through a season built around food. This year, I’m choosing a simple approach: do what works, honor my limits, and stay well-fed so I don’t fall into a carb-fueled spiral.

For me, that means sticking to keto for as long as I can. Keto naturally suppresses my appetite, helps me feel satiated, and keeps me from slipping into that “just one bite” frenzy that never ends with just one bite. I also made one important decision: no extended fasting until January 1, 2026. Instead, I’m focusing on nourishment—two solid meals a day with plenty of protein (80–85 grams) and healthy fats (about 113 grams). I keep things low-carb, especially because I’m currently swimming upstream against some medication side effects. Small choices help me stay steady.

To make the holidays enjoyable—not depriving—I prepared “my food” versions of the dishes everyone else is eating. Fresh cranberry sauce sweetened with allulose. Carnivore sausage gravy instead of the traditional flour-based one. Cauliflower mashed potatoes. And of course, turkey and ham fit right in. I get to sit at the Thanksgiving table and truly enjoy the meal without derailing myself.

And yes—two days after Thanksgiving we’ll be celebrating my mother’s 80th birthday, and I will be having one slice of cake. Because joy matters, too.

There are so many ways to move through the holidays without going overboard. These are mine.
What are yours?