Healthy Holiday Eating

Here are a few tips that will help keep all of us on the straight and narrow when it comes to holiday munching.Eat first – Don’t skip normal meals even if you are attending a party later that evening. Try to keep with your routine eating schedule. If you arrive hungry, you are going to eat foods you normally wouldn’t.Create healthy traditions – If the party is a potluck, bring a healthy version of a holiday classic or create a new healthy signature dish. Make your own cranberry sauce with fresh berries and some orange rind, or search online for a healthier version of stuffing.Drink wisely – Avoid drinking alcohol on an empty stomach and be sure to alternate drinking water with alcoholic drinks. Alcohol increases appetite and decreases inhibition – a sure formula for eating more than you intended.Find the veggies – Almost every party has a vegetable platter with a variety of fresh, raw vegetables. Be sure to eat these first; the high fiber and water content will fill you up without excess calories.Taste and enjoy – Take a look at all of the delicious offerings and pick your top two or three favorites. Take a small portion of each and enjoy it to the fullest, then move on to enjoy the company of friends and family.Don’t forget to exercise – We are all a little busier this time of year, attending parties, visiting family, etc. But that doesn’t mean you have to forgo your exercise schedule. Resistance bands and yoga mats are easier to pack up and take with you.Stay on a routine – Again, we stay busier during November and December, but don’t let all of that visiting mess up your sleep schedule. Being sleep deprived can lead to us drinking more coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help wake us up, and we tend to not think as much about reaching for something healthy to eat.Hope you and your family enjoy a safe, happy and healthy holiday season!