Eat Smart and Be Happy During the Holidays
Candy. Buttery mashed potatoes. Cookies. Fatty meats. Stuffing. Pies.
Let’s face it: Holiday food is a big part of what many of us look forward to this time of year. So, don’t worry: We’re not going to suggest you should say no to every bit of delectable holiday fare. However, we are going to point to experts who say that most of us enjoy more “naughty food” than we should. As registered dietician Samantha Cassetty wrote on The Today Show website, “The marathon food fest that occurs between Thanksgiving and December 31st can take a toll on your physical and emotional health.”
But what’s a person to do when the good stuff is everywhere? Well, actually, there’s plenty you can do to enjoy the holidays without putting your health at risk. Following are some tips.
Control your portions. This is the obvious one, but also the hardest one to adhere to, especially at pitch-ins or buffets. Be mindful of how much you put on your plate. Choose quality over quantity.
Be picky. Don’t settle for something you don’t love just because it’s a holiday staple. Be picky about what you put on your plate, indulging only in those things that you truly enjoy.
Slow down. The holidays tend to get us moving fast, even at the dinner table. And while that might leave more time for other activities, it also reduces how much you enjoy your food. Take the time to savor what
you’re eating, enjoying not just the flavor, but the aroma and the feeling in your mouth.
Avoid hunger. If you go to holiday gatherings on an empty stomach, you’ll eat more. Snack on something healthy before a big meal and you’ll be less likely to overeat.
Bring a healthy dish. Be that person who brings something healthy to the holiday meal, and then make sure you get some of it.
Start with the good stuff. Start filling your plate with the healthiest options and you’ll leave less room for the unhealthy stuff.
Limit dessert. This can be the toughest one, but also the one that delivers the most benefit. Don’t sample a little of everything. Instead, choose one dessert that will really make you happy, and then have a reasonable portion.
Dial back on alcohol. Drinking alcohol at holiday gatherings not only adds calories and sugar to your intake, but it also tends to lower your plate-filling inhibitions. Reduce your alcohol intake and you’ll probably reduce your overall intake, too.
Download November’s Full Newsletter Here