Tips for Healthful Holidays
The Holidays are here again. Healthy eating during this time can be a
challenge, when hosting guests, families and friends. Although foods can
be a centerpiece of holiday festivities, you can eat wisely without
picking up extra pounds.
Here are some helpful tips for the Holidays:
- Be realistic - Don’t try to lose weight during
the holidays. Instead aim to maintain your weight by balancing party
eating with lower calorie meals.
- Eat slowly and take time to taste your food. You
will feel more satisfied and prevent overeating.
- Look for alternatives to pastries and sweets.
Instead choose fresh fruits and low calorie yogurt with berries.
- Avoiding socializing in the kitchen or next to
the buffet table to eliminate unconscious nibbling.
- At the party buffet, choose only the foods you
really want to eat and keep your portions small.
- Be sensible - Avoid main courses that have been
deep fried, breaded, battered or that come with a cream sauce.
Instead choose food selections that have been grilled, baked,
poached, roasted, broiled and steamed.
- Make your holiday baking healthful as well as
tasty by using enriched or whole grain flour that is packed with
vitamins and minerals.
- If you are planning to go a special restaurant in
the evening, have a light breakfast and lunch.
- Beware of high calorie alcoholic drinks such as:
cocktails and liqueurs - some of which can have as many calories as
a small meal. Try sparkling water or diet soda.
- If you are at a sit down dinner, cut your first
helping in half and enjoy
your meal with your guest.
- Enjoy physical activity after a holiday feast and
get the whole family to participate and continue to exercise after
the holidays.
- The holiday season can be stressful. When you
feel tense or overwhelmed, try some light exercises such as walking
or riding a bike. You can also try deep breathing and meditation
exercises.
- Remember the Holidays are here once a year, so
enjoy and have
fun with your loved ones!
Reference:
Food fit. com
American Dietetic Association
Rd411.com
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Palm Beach County:
Florenzia Davis, PhD,MS,RD,LD/N
Senior Public Health Nutritionist
(561) 671-4000 x 4048
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