Tips for a Healthier Holiday Season
How to not gain weight this holiday season.
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Happy Thanksgiving! - Fantasizing about grandma’s famous mac and cheese? Turkey drenched in homemade gravy? Drooling over the thoughts of cornbread stuffing and sweet potato pie? Of course you are. The holiday season starts this week and ’tis the season to indulge, especially when it comes to food.According to the Calorie Control Council, the average American consumes almost 4500 calories on Thanksgiving Day! But you don’t have to gain weight from now until New Year’s if you make mindful choices. Here are some tips to get you started. — Kellee Terrell(Photo: GettyImages)
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Don't Skip Breakfast - We tend to think that if we don’t eat breakfast we’re saving those calories for dinner. That just isn’t true: It just makes us overeat. So enjoy a low calorie, high fiber breakfast —whole grain cereal, oatmeal, etc. — that will fill you up and curb your appetite for dinner.(Photo: GettyImages)
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Tweak Those Dishes - There are ways to make your Thanksgiving meals healthier — all it takes is a little modification with the ingredients. Instead of using whole milk for dishes, opt for skim or unflavored almond milk. For that mac and cheese, opt for low-fat cheese and whole grain elbows. Read here for more recipe tips.(Photo: SILK)
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Add Healthy Sides - Whether you are helping cook or going over to someone’s house, try bringing some healthier dishes. Instead of the green bean casserole with heavy cream and fried onions, whip together garlic sautéed green beans topped with almonds. Or try making a mixed green salad with lots of veggies and a low fat dressing.(Photo: Courtesy Food Network)
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Go Easy on the Drinks - When we think about the holidays, we focus so much on food that we forget about the drinks. All of those cocktails, eggnog, beer, wine and soda we guzzle can all add up calorie wise. So pace yourself: Try having a glass of water after every drink to curb excess drinking. To cut down on soda, opt for sparking water or club soda with a lemon or lime slice to give you that fizz you like, minus all the calories.(Photo: David Silverman/Getty Images)
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Just Say No - Portion control and passing on things may just be the main key to surviving the next month and a half without going up a pant size. Taste a little bit of everything, use smaller plates for meals and savor your meal instead of devouring it quickly. Also opt for more white meat, pass on gravy, eat a sliver of pie instead of a huge piece and have one less alcoholic drink. Doing that can shave off 250 calories or more from your meal.(Photo: GettyImages)
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Get Your Workout On - You don’t have to sweat out your hair to be active during the holidays. Walk around the block a few times if the weather is good or do a low-impact workout DVD at home. Whatever you do, try to not to sit around. Also think about getting others to join you, make being healthy a family affair.(Photo: GettyImages)
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Focus on the Fam - The holidays don’t have to be about stuffing or stuffing your face. Try making it about spending time with your loved ones. Catch up, play cards or watch football together. Essentially, this time is about connecting with others.(Photo: GettyImages)
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Relax, Relate, Release - While the holidays are about family, being around them can bring a lot of stress, which can lend to overeating and relying on liquor to calm you down. Give yourself some quiet time away from other people, focus on yourself and don’t let other people stress you out.(Photo: GettyImages)