All in Moderation

No foods should ever be completely off limits in a well-balanced diet, but especially around the holidays. If you deprive yourself of holiday favorites you might only get once a year, you might leave your gathering feeling unsatisfied and perhaps more likely to splurge elsewhere. It’s better to allow all foods, but know which ones to eat more of, which ones to moderate, and which ones to limit for truly special occasions.

Green light

Eat lots of these! These foods all clearly have a place within a healthy diet, just be careful of exceeding your calorie intake, even with something nutritious like fruit.

Fruits
Vegetables
Lean cuts of meat (chicken, turkey, fish)
Beans and legumes
Low-fat dairy (skim milk, low-fat string cheese)
Whole wheat and whole grain options

Yellow light

Proceed with caution! These foods can easily be incorporated into a healthy diet, but it is important to moderate your serving sizes.

Cheese
Eggs
Nuts
Meats higher in fat content (red meat, ham)
White breads or pastas

Red light

Stop and think before you eat! These foods can still be enjoyed on occasion, but make sure they have a limited appearance in your diet and that the splurge is truly worth the extra calories.

Baked goods (cookies, cake, pie)
Candy
Fried foods
Fatty cuts of meat (bacon, pepperoni)
Alcoholic beverages

Stay connected

When in doubt about whether a food is completely healthy or should be limited, try reading the nutrition label. Look not only at total calories, but also serving size, grams of fat and sugar, and ingredients. Foods with more than five ingredients are more likely to have several processed ingredients and artificial additives. Learn more about deciphering nutrition labels.

Tags: eating habits, food moderation, healthy diet