By the time December rolls in, most of us are holding two things at once: a desire to slow down and a calendar that insists we speed up. Between holiday gatherings, end-of-year deadlines, family logistics, and a steady rotation of rich meals and long to-do lists, it’s easy to feel both overstimulated and undernourished—physically and emotionally.
But this season doesn’t have to pull you into imbalance. With some intention, a little structure, and a few fresh perspectives, December can actually be a soft landing. Not perfect. Not pressure-packed. But genuinely nourishing.
That’s what the December Nourish List is all about.
This isn’t a list of restrictions, nor a call to overhaul your life before the New Year. Instead, it’s a trusted, gently informed roadmap for how to eat, do, and skip in a way that supports your energy, digestion, mood, and overall sense of calm during one of the busiest months of the year.
What to Eat in December (for Warmth, Immunity & Balance)
December meals often default to celebration mode: cookies, roasts, cheese boards, spiced drinks. And while there's absolutely space for joy-filled eating, it's also helpful to weave in meals that steady your blood sugar, support digestion, and boost your wintertime resilience.
1. Root Vegetables: Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, Beets, and Parsnips
Root vegetables are grounding—literally and nutritionally. They’re rich in complex carbohydrates and packed with fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants. Their natural sweetness pairs well with warming spices like cinnamon and cumin, and they roast beautifully in under 30 minutes.
Roasted carrots tossed with tahini, or mashed sweet potatoes with a swirl of olive oil and garlic? Easy winter comfort that won’t send your blood sugar spiking.
Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of beta carotene, which supports immune function—especially important during cold and flu season.
2. Fermented Foods: Sauerkraut, Yogurt, Kefir, Kimchi
Digestive comfort can be elusive in December. Heavy meals, travel, and stress all tend to throw gut health off. That’s where probiotic-rich fermented foods come in. Adding just a few servings of yogurt or fermented vegetables per week can support microbiome diversity and ease bloating.
Yogurt parfaits, miso dressings, and kimchi fried rice are easy ways to work them into your winter meal plan.
3. Citrus Fruits: Oranges, Clementines, Grapefruit, and Lemon
Citrus peaks in winter, and your body knows exactly what to do with it. These fruits are high in vitamin C and flavonoids that help reduce inflammation, support immune defense, and brighten heavy meals. A clementine in your bag is a portable dose of energy (and mood) support.
Add lemon juice to warm water first thing in the morning to wake up digestion, or slice grapefruit into winter salads with arugula and toasted nuts.
4. Hearty Greens: Kale, Collards, Chard
While spring and summer greens are often delicate, winter greens are sturdier and deeply mineral-rich. They're full of fiber, iron, calcium, and vitamin K. Lightly sautéed or added to soups and grain bowls, they balance out the density of December meals.
Don’t love the bitter bite of raw kale? Massage it with olive oil and lemon to break it down and boost digestibility.
What to Do (Beyond the Food)
Nourishment isn’t just a plate of roasted vegetables or a good smoothie. It’s also how you support your energy, your space, and your nervous system. These rituals and micro-practices bring a little more steadiness into the season.
1. Recalibrate Your Morning Routine (Just a Little)
You don’t need a 90-minute morning ritual. But a consistent, 10–15 minute routine can shape how you handle the rest of your day. In winter, try anchoring your mornings with:
- A warm drink that supports digestion (like lemon water, ginger tea, or a matcha latte)
- Light movement—five minutes of stretching, walking, or gentle yoga
- A daylight lamp if you’re waking up before the sun (which can help regulate circadian rhythms and improve energy)
According to the National Institutes of Health, morning exposure to bright light can improve alertness, mood, and sleep patterns—particularly helpful during months with limited sunlight.
2. Embrace Gentle Movement Instead of High-Intensity Everything
December isn’t always the time to max out your workout goals. If your body feels more tired, bloated, or overbooked, try swapping intense cardio for something gentler.
Walking, Pilates, or strength training at a manageable pace can reduce cortisol and still support circulation, digestion, and energy. Some movement is always better than none—but not all movement has to be intense.
3. Make a “Stress Snack” Plan
You know those moments: the inbox is full, the room is noisy, and suddenly you’re elbow-deep in snack mix. Emotional eating happens. And it’s okay. But it helps to have a plan.
Keep a few blood sugar–friendly options on hand—like roasted almonds, Greek yogurt, or apple slices with nut butter. That way, when a stress moment hits, you have something nourishing nearby that still feels satisfying.
This isn’t about restriction—it’s about real-life self-support.
What to Skip (Or Gently Reframe)
We don’t do shame here. But we do talk about letting go of what doesn’t serve you—especially in a season that often asks too much.
1. The All-Or-Nothing Mindset Around Food or Movement
One cookie doesn’t mean the whole day is “ruined.” A skipped workout isn’t failure. These black-and-white thoughts are sneaky and exhausting—and they pull you out of balance faster than any one meal or missed gym session ever could.
Instead, think in terms of course correction, not punishment. Nourishment happens over days and weeks, not single choices.
2. Overscheduling Your Weekends
December weekends often fill up before you even realize it. But back-to-back events—however fun—can drain your energy stores. Give yourself permission to protect one morning or evening per weekend as downtime. Let it be untouchable.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, chronic overscheduling without adequate rest can lead to higher stress levels, increased anxiety, and immune suppression—none of which pair well with holiday burnout.
If you’re worried about disappointing people, remember this: rested, centered you is always the better version to bring to any party.
3. Comparing Your Season to Everyone Else’s
Social media makes it easy to believe everyone else is having a magical, cozy, productivity-filled December. But you’re not seeing their inboxes, their family tension, or their skipped meals.
Your season can be quieter, smaller, or slower—and still be deeply nourishing. Protect your focus. Not everything needs to be shared or perfect to be valuable.
Wellness Within Reach
- Add one citrus fruit or dark leafy green to your daily meals. It’s an easy upgrade for immunity and energy.
- Anchor your mornings with 10 quiet minutes—no scrolling, no pressure. Give your mind a steady start.
- Pick one food you usually snack on under stress and swap it with a more nourishing option that still satisfies.
- Schedule downtime like it’s a real appointment. Guard one block of time per week for rest.
- Gently step away from comparison. Your version of wellness doesn’t have to match anyone else’s.
Let December Nourish You Back
We’re told to make the most of this month, to squeeze in traditions, tie up loose ends, show up fully. But nourishment goes both ways. Instead of asking more from yourself, try asking: What would help me feel steadier right now?
This season, let your food be warm and simple. Let your rituals be doable. Let your choices be rooted in care, not control. The most sustainable wellness doesn’t demand perfection—it offers you permission to return to yourself, again and again.
You’re allowed to rest. You’re allowed to not do everything. You’re allowed to eat the cookie and drink the green smoothie. That’s the balance. That’s the beauty of December, when you let it be real.
