Eating Healthy for the Holidays

               The winter holiday season is about family, fun, and of course, food. Thanksgiving is a time to see family, but also to see the amazing food spread on the table. It is ‘tradition’ to fill up an entire plate with each Thanksgiving dish, and then go back for seconds, maybe thirds.
               However, this ‘tradition’ can lead to an unhealthy weight gain, especially since the average Thanksgiving dinner is a whopping 2,000 calories. There are many ways to combat this problem and prevent holiday over-feasting.
 
1: Be active.
Perhaps you could go on a walk in the morning, and then one again after the meal. Exercise promotes a faster metabolism, which helps break down food faster and more efficiently, allowing you to eat more, yet still process it without storing fat.
This exercise does not have to be alone time, after all, this holiday is about being together. Make it a family affair; get out in the brisk fall air and take a walk, seeing the beautiful autumn colors.
 
2: Pay attention to what you are eating.
You do not have to miss out on your favorites, such as sweet potato casserole or pumpkin pie, but take smaller portions to avoid overwhelming your stomach. Choose white meat, rather than dark, as much as possible, try using fat free sour cream or yogurt for the creamy dips and sauces, and try sugar substitutes whenever the recipe allows.
Whenever ingredients cannot be changed without compromising taste or how the dish turns out, simply take less, and choose foods you can only get this one time of year.
 
3: Increase your water intake
Along with food choices, beverage choices can affect weight gain as well. Limit the number of alcoholic drinks and coffee products and substitute with water. Water helps food move quickly through the digestive system and has absolutely zero calories, of course.
 
Being healthy is a lifestyle choice, and it can sometimes be difficult, especially during the holiday devoted to feasting. This Thanksgiving, focus more on being thankful for friends and family and the life you have been given, rather than who will take the last slice of pie. For more information or healthy tips, you can visit the resources listed below. Happy Thanksgiving!
 
Information from:
“10 Tips for a Thinner Thanksgiving” – Kathleen M. Zelman, WebMD.com
“Healthy Holiday Eating Tips for Thanksgiving” – Gloria Tsang, HealthCastle.com