The holiday season is right around the corner - which means so are the parades of delicious, high-calorie temptations that come along with it. We all know that eating healthy during the holidays can be difficult, but it is not impossible.
Registered dietitian, Nicole Patience of Temple University offers some tips on how to keep the extra pounds away during the holidays. First off, she says, just because you know you will be eating less healthy foods later on in the day, don't throw in the towel on making healthy choices earlier in the day. Just because you know what to expect for dinner on Thanksgiving morning, there is still no reason to give up on a healthy breakfast.
“Think of each meal as a separate opportunity to give your body the nutrition it needs,” Patience said.
Secondly, she says, avoid digging right into the vast food selection before surveying it. Think to yourself which foods you will truly enjoy eating the most and limit yourself to those foods. It is not about depriving yourself, Patience said, rather it’s about dedicating your stomach space to foods you find to be truly worth occupying it.
Next, Patience says, avoid drinking your calories. Alcohol is often plentiful at holiday celebrations. Patience advises choosing light beer over regular beer if you only plan on drinking a few. However, she warns, don’t trick yourself into thinking that just because light beer has fewer calories, you can drink more of them.
Lastly, Patience says to be realistic. Keep the time of the year in perspective. It is the season for eating and it’s okay that you will be eating less healthy foods than you might at other times of the year. Just be sure to listen to the cues your body sends to you when you are full.
“That way, instead of worrying so much about calories, you’ll be more focused on spending that time with the people you care about,” Patience said.
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