Tips for Healthier Holiday Eating

Tips for Healthier Holiday Eating

The holidays mean family, fun, and lots of tasty treats! It can be tough to stick with your wellness goals. Use these tips to combat the temptation without feeling deprived:

• If you are invited to a gathering, offer to bring a healthy dish with you.
• Swaps and substitutions can help lighten up dishes without feeling deprived. Add in extra vegetables, and watch labels for healthier options (lower fat, sugar, and salt).
• Eat a light snack prior to a gathering. It will keep you from making a beeline to the food table as soon as you arrive, or from overindulging.
• Moderation is key! Peek at the food offerings before you grab a plate. Know what your options are and make a mental plan of what you plan to grab before filling your plate.
• Use smaller plates for food – this can help eliminate over-eating and it will encourage you to take smaller portions of foods instead of large portions.
• If you overindulge at a holiday get-together, it is ok! Plan to get back on track the following day with your healthy habits—physical activity, nutrition, good sleep, and water.

Sources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, December 14). 5 Healthy Eating Tips for the Holidays. Diabetes Features and Spotlights. Retrieved October 26, 2022, fromhttps://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/features/holidays-healthy-eating.html.

Skerrett, P. J. (2019, August 28). 12 Tips for holiday eating. Harvard Health Publishing. Retrieved October 26,2022, from https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/12-tips-for-holiday-eating-201212242506.