I’ll be honest with you guys — this isn’t my favorite time of year as someone who likes to stay lean. Once summer’s over and the holidays roll around, it feels like there’s tempting food everywhere — and staying shredded gets a lot harder.

But here’s the thing: if you do it right, the holidays are actually one of the best times to bulk. You can use the extra food to your advantage, add real size and strength, and set yourself up to look bigger and stronger once spring and summer come back around.

And let’s be real for a second — it’s not healthy or sustainable to stay super lean all year long. Being under 10% body fat for the summer is great, but keeping that up 12 months straight will eventually hurt your training, your recovery, and even your hormones. Your body needs some fat to function properly.

I get it — I love training, I love pushing myself, and I take my diet seriously. But the holidays aren’t just about macros and calories. They’re about your friends and family. Food is how we bond with each other. I can’t tell you how many holiday dinners I’ve sat at, refusing dessert or a second helping, just because I was worried about breaking my calorie range. And honestly? That takes some of the joy out of it.

That’s why I’m writing this. For a few months, you should allow yourself to relax a little, stop being so rigid with your diet, and instead focus on bulking the right way. These hacks will show you how to enjoy the season, add size and strength, and come out ahead when it’s time to lean down again.

🔹 10 Smart Bulking Hacks for the Holidays

1. Increase Your Protein Portions

One of the simplest hacks to bulk smarter is just eating more of what already works. Most people stick to a “standard” 4oz serving of chicken or beef because that’s what nutrition labels and meal plans show. But if you’re bulking, why stop there? Double it up. Go 6–8oz instead, and suddenly you’ve added 20–30 grams of protein to your meal without feeling like you’re eating something totally different.

I do this all the time during the holidays. At family dinners, instead of stacking my plate with bread and stuffing first, I make sure I’ve got a massive serving of turkey or ham as my base. Not only does it make me feel fuller faster, but it keeps my protein high and my muscle growth on track — even if I still go back later for dessert.

💡 Bonus Tip: Don’t just “add more” randomly. Go bigger on lean proteins first (chicken, turkey, fish) and keep fatty proteins (like ribeye) in check so you’re not overshooting calories too far.

2. Swap Carbs for Higher-Protein Options

I love carbs as much as the next guy, but if you want to bulk smart, a few swaps can quietly load your diet with extra protein. For example, replacing white rice with quinoa doubles the protein content. Switching regular pasta for chickpea or lentil pasta adds 12–15 grams of protein per serving. And something as simple as swapping regular milk for Fairlife or another high-protein milk brand can give you 13g per cup instead of 8g.

These are the kinds of hacks I use year-round, but they’re especially handy during bulking season when I’m eating larger portions. You still get the comfort food vibes, but you’re building in extra muscle fuel at the same time.

💡 Bonus Tip: Don’t feel like you need to make these swaps every single time. Keep it flexible — eat regular pasta at grandma’s house, then use chickpea pasta during the week. Balance is what makes these hacks sustainable.

3. Bulk with Pizza (Yes, Really)

Let’s be real — pizza isn’t going to make it onto most “clean eating” lists. But here’s the thing: if you’re bulking and training hard, pizza can actually work in your favor. Two or three slices of a meat-heavy pizza can give you 30–40 grams of protein. Add chicken or lean beef toppings, and you’ve basically turned it into a muscle-building meal disguised as comfort food.

And let’s not forget — pizza is everyone’s favorite party food. You’re going to see it everywhere over the next few months — Halloween parties, family gatherings, game nights. Don’t be shy about grabbing extra slices. Five, six, seven, or even eight slices (if you can get to it fast enough) can easily push you past 80–100 grams of protein, especially if it’s loaded with cheese, chicken, or hamburger meat. All that extra bread from the crust? That’s not wasted calories — it’s a solid carb source to fuel your next workout.

💡 Bonus Tip: Probably the most important hack of all — use this extra food wisely. Don’t just sit on the couch all winter watching movies while calling it a “bulk.” Train your ass off in the gym, push the weights, eat a big meal, and then go home and chill with a movie. That’s how you turn a holiday season full of pizza into actual size and strength by spring.

4. Use Holiday Leftovers to Your Advantage

If you’re bulking during the holidays, leftovers are your best friend. Turkey, ham, roast beef — these are all protein-rich, and usually in your fridge for days after a big family meal. Instead of letting them go to waste or loading up on random snacks, I turn leftovers into sandwiches, wraps, or even a big protein-packed salad.

It’s an easy way to stay consistent without extra cooking, and it helps you bulk without blowing your budget. Plus, there’s something satisfying about turning holiday scraps into meals that actually fuel your training.

💡 Bonus Tip: Freeze portions of leftover turkey or ham into meal-prep containers. Future you will thank present you when it’s 9pm on a Wednesday and you still need 40 grams of protein.

5. Embrace Cheap Protein Staples

Not every meal has to be fancy. Some of the best protein sources are also the cheapest and most underrated. Check out your nearest grocery store and I bet you they have rotisserie chickens for about $5–7 and can easily give you 70+ grams of protein. Beef liver is dirt cheap, nutrient-dense, and has more protein than most people realize. Canned salmon or sardines are portable, affordable, and full of protein plus omega-3s for recovery.

During bulking season, I rely on these staples to keep my fridge stocked. They may not be glamorous, but they’re practical — and at the end of the day, consistency builds more muscle than trendy “superfoods” ever will.

💡 Bonus Tip: Rotate these staples so you don’t burn out. For example, I’ll do rotisserie chicken one week, canned salmon the next. The variety keeps you from feeling like you’re on a “bulk prison diet.”

👉 “I’ve also got a full breakdown of Affordable Protein Sources if you’re trying to bulk on a budget.”

6. Stack Snacks for More Protein

This is one of my favorite hacks. Instead of thinking of snacks as filler, combine them into mini high-protein meals. A Fairlife shake (42g protein) plus a Pure Protein bar (20g) gets you over 60 grams of protein in one go — for under 500 calories. Or take Greek yogurt and mix in a scoop of whey powder, and you’ve got a dessert-like combo with 40+ grams of protein.

I use this strategy when I’m short on time between workouts and work. It’s an easy way to bulk without prepping a full meal, and it adds up fast toward your daily totals.

💡 Bonus Tip: Always keep one “combo” handy in your bag, car, or office. A bar + shake can save you from hitting the vending machine and still push you closer to 200g of protein for the day.

👉 “If you want more ideas like these, check out my list of Affordable High Protein Snacks I Eat to Build Muscle.

7. Don’t Fear Dietary Fat

When cutting, I pay closer attention to fat, but during a bulk? It’s not something I obsess over. Fats aren’t the enemy — they help regulate hormones, support recovery, and keep you from feeling like you’re eating nothing but chicken breast all day. Foods like salmon, whole eggs, nuts, and even a little cheese can give you that calorie boost you need to grow.

The trick is to add fats strategically. A handful of nuts or a drizzle of olive oil is very different from eating an entire cheesecake. Use healthy fats to round out meals, not replace protein or quality carbs.

💡 Bonus Tip: Add healthy fats that give you micronutrients, not just calories. Salmon, avocado, and nuts bring way more to the table than random fried food.

8. Time Your Calories Around Training

Here’s a hack that makes a huge difference: eat your biggest meals on your hardest training days. Got a heavy leg session? That’s the perfect time for a big holiday dinner. Back day? Load up on extra protein and carbs. By timing your biggest calorie surpluses around training, you’re more likely to store those calories as muscle instead of fat.

This doesn’t mean you need to be obsessive and skip a family dinner if it doesn’t fall on leg day. It just means when you have the choice, align your meals with your workouts to maximize gains.

💡 Bonus Tip: Got a huge holiday dinner planned? Make it a leg day or a heavy back day. Those calories will have a better chance of going toward muscle instead of your waistline.

👉 “If you’re adding all these calories, cardio is still important for heart health. I ranked the Best Zone 2 Cardio Sneakers so you can train smarter.”

9. Enjoy Desserts — Without Guilt

One of the worst mistakes you can make during the holidays is beating yourself up over dessert. Look, one slice of pumpkin pie isn’t going to ruin your physique. In fact, carbs from dessert can actually fuel your next workout if you think of it the right way.

The hack is simple: enjoy dessert in moderation, and treat it like part of your carb load. You’ll stay mentally sane, enjoy time with your friends and family, and still make gains.

💡 Bonus Tip: Pick your favorite dessert and go all in on it. Don’t waste calories on stuff you don’t even like just because it’s there.

10. Track Progress, Not Perfection

When bulking, it’s easy to get lost in the idea of eating everything in sight. But smart bulking means tracking progress. Weigh yourself a couple times a week, keep an eye on your strength in the gym, and pay attention to how your clothes fit.

A little fat gain is expected, but you want to bulk with purpose — not just get sloppy. Stay consistent with your workouts, keep protein high, and use these hacks to get bigger and stronger without losing sight of your long-term goals. Grab a smart scale like this one here from Amazon to make sure you stay on track.

💡 Bonus Tip: Take weekly progress pics in the same lighting. The scale can trick you during a bulk, but pictures + strength gains in the gym will tell the real story.

❓ FAQ: Bulking During the Holidays

Conclusion: Bulk With Purpose, Not Excuses

Bulking during the holidays doesn’t have to mean throwing your progress away. Yes, you’ll gain a little fat — and that’s okay. Your body needs it, your hormones need it, and your muscles will thank you for the extra fuel. The difference between a sloppy bulk and a smart bulk comes down to intention.

Eat more protein. Use those holiday leftovers. Don’t be afraid of pizza and dessert — just make sure you’re backing it up with hard training in the gym. If you do it right, you’ll head into spring stronger, bigger, and ready to cut down into your best shape yet.

I’ve made the mistake before of being too rigid, skipping desserts, and stressing about every calorie while everyone else enjoyed themselves. Trust me — there’s a better way. These hacks aren’t about giving up discipline; they’re about using the season to your advantage so you can keep building muscle while still living your life.

👉 If you want more ideas to keep protein high, check out my post on Affordable High Protein Snacks. Or, if you’re looking for bigger staples to fuel your bulk, here’s my guide to Cheap Protein Sources.

Bulk smart. Train hard. Enjoy the holidays. And as always — Action Creates Greatness.