Eating Healthy Through The Holidays

     The holiday season is a fantastic time of year to spend with family and friends. Undoubtedly, with the holidays come holiday parties, gatherings and lots of sugary, salty and fatty foods. It's important to maintain a healthy lifestyle year round but also enjoy yourself and indulge in your favorite treats from time to time. Here are 10 tips to stay healthy this holiday season. 

1.     Be Realistic – The holiday season is not the time to put extra pressure on yourself to lose weight. Instead of trying to lose weight over the holidays set a goal to maintain your current weight.

2.     Make Time For Exercise – one fantastic way to maintain your weight over the holidays is to exercise. If you’re traveling and can’t make it to the gym simply taking a brisk walk outside with family and friends is a great way to stay healthy over the holidays.

3.     Fill Up Before You Head Out – before leaving for a holiday party or gathering eat a light, healthy snack like vegetables and hummus or a large piece of fruit and a handful of nuts. This will help curb your cravings for sugary foods and you will be less tempted to over-indulge.

4.     Don’t Stuff Yourself – eat until you are satisfied but not until you are stuffed. The point of holiday meals is to enjoy time with family and friends. Sit down, relax, and enjoy your food slowly. Savor the meal and the good company without walking away miserably full.


5.     Beware Of Beverages – alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are typically packed with lots of calories and very little nutrients. Drink both in moderation.

6.     Remember, Mistakes Happen! – If you overeat at one meal then simply cut back on your portions at the next meal. But don’t make over-eating a habit.

7.     Scan The Buffet – Before digging into the holiday buffet scan the items available and pick out the healthiest options. Remember, fruits and vegetables should fill at least half your plate.

8.     Trim The Fat – every tablespoon of fat on your meat equals approximately 100 calories ⁽¹⁾

9.     Bring A Dish – want to ensure that there will be something at the holiday party you will enjoy? Bring your own dish to share! By bringing your own dish you can control exactly what you eat while being an excellent party guest.

10.   Have Fun! – Instead of sitting around in front of the television or being the couch potato at a holiday party get up, move around, mingle and talk with other party goers. If you’re at home look for a fun project to do like making wreaths or creating a gingerbread house. 

1. Nelson, Jennifer and Zeratsky, Katherine. Healthy Holiday Eating - Remakes of Favorite Recipes. Mayo Clinic. [Online] December 5, 2012. [Cited: November 29, 2012.] http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/healthy-holiday-eating/MY01046/METHOD=print.