Tips for getting through the holidays
It’s a wonderful time of year here in Western PA. Time for giving thanks from the past year with good friends, family, and loved ones. The Holidays can be such a joyous time for all of us!
This time of year doesn’t come without a downside, however! It is really hard to get through the holidays while sticking to a health and fitness regimen. Even the most disciplined get thrown off this time of year!
That being said, it doesn’t have to work out that way! Here are some tips for getting through thanksgiving and other holiday meals while avoiding getting thrown off your health goals!
Prep your food the healthy way
When getting the holiday meals ready, keep in mind that how you prep your meals plays a big factor in the overall healthy nature of the meal. Limit smothering everything with butter and allow guests to add things like butter and salt to taste after they have been served. If possible, try to keep seasonings low in sodium and free of extra additives!
Lastly, skip the deep-frying prep for the turkey. Only some people deep fry their thanksgiving turkeys, but this is a surefire way to overload the calories!
Portion Control
It’s far too easy to overdo the portions when the meal is produced in big quantities. A small portion of mashed potatoes isn’t going to be too bad for you, but several heaping scoops can be packed with a ton of sugar and fat! Go easy on portions and start with a small helping of the healthier foods.
Load up on:
It’s really hard to eat too many vegetables! So if you have a good selection of colorful veggies to choose from, fill your plate with color! The best kinds of veggies are going to be things like green beans, brussel sprouts, and sweet potatoes. Just be careful with how they were prepared, or you might be getting more butter and added sugar than you intended!
Furthermore, turkey itself is very healthy! Just watch how much gravy you are adding!
Skip on the basic Carbs
Along with the quality foods, you will inevitably have rolls, bread, stuffing, and other not-so-healthy choices available to you. If you must, choose your favorite and have a small portion. Otherwise, these foods are loaded with basic carbs and are not very good for you! The same goes for mashed potatoes. Since the starchy veggie is mashed up, the carbs are more sugary and dense, so go light on mashed potatoes!
EAT SLOWLY
It’s really easy to eat too fast when there is a ton of food on your plate. Eating more slowly will make sure that you feel full once you have had enough, and will make overeating less likely. Chew slow, and put your fork down between bites.
Skip seconds:
If you eat slow enough, you likely won’t need to get second helpings to feel full. However, even if you still feel hungry once you have cleaned your plate, try to wait a while before going back for seconds. If you must, stick to the lean turkey and green veggies!
Keep moving!
Lastly, it’s really easy to become more inactive during the colder months. Keep moving and exercise regularly through the holidays to help reverse any damage the eating might have done!
One more thing…
These are some great tips if you are worried about overeating on specific holidays. HOWEVER, just remember that one day here and there is not going to completely throw off your health and fitness goals! Enjoy yourself if you must, but get back to your plan as soon as possible afterwards! Keep exercising regularly and avoid snacking on treat too often and you will get through the holidays ready to tackle the new year!
Oh, and don’t forget to grab your copy of RAPS Healthy Eating Cookbook and make sure your nutrition is on track!
