Healthy Eating Tips: Most of us will admit that the Christmas season is essentially one huge dietary snare. It begins with Halloween sweets, progresses throughout Thanksgiving’s potato-and-pie feast, and concludes with Christmas’ dessert frenzy. This could be a dietary disaster that many people just forget about trying to maintain healthy holiday eating. However, nutritionists believe that there is a way to enjoy your favorite Christmas delicacies without completely abandoning your dietary objectives for two months.
“We can complete, reasonably, and healthily eat throughout the holidays,” says a registered dietitian in Dallas. How? First and foremost, instead of approaching holiday occasions where food will be present with dread, we might approach them with the following simple, attainable recommendations. Continue reading for five nutritionist-approved recommendations on how to have healthy holiday eating.
1. Don’t miss meals for the feast:
Missing lunch and breakfast in the hopes of bingeing on costly holiday meals later may seem like a smart idea, but nutrition scientists agree that it might backfire. According to us, this behavior is bad for both your blood sugar levels and your obesity, and staying without meals early in the day can lead to binge eating later. Our recommendation is to enjoy a well-balanced regular meal before going to your festive dinner to prevent overindulging and ending up in emergency rooms. Two or three hours before your holiday dinner, you might want to take a high-protein snack, such as whole-wheat toast and vegetables with cheese or tahini, or perhaps a protein bar.
2. Add vegetables and fruits to the dinner table:
It’s tempting to go all out with your favorite dishes, but sometimes it’s just a matter of stocking up on healthier options. Increase the number of vegetable dishes at the dinner party by adding tiny variations to make them more interesting without becoming unhealthy. Roasted asparagus may be stunning on its own, and roasted carrots or sweet potatoes are flavourful and also colorful.
If in doubt, start with vegetables, such as a salad before supper or a vegetable-based appetizer earlier in the day. This will ensure that everyone gets the veggies they require rather than stuffing up on buttery mashed potatoes.
3. Beat the Buffet
Make the holiday well-spent in health and with good diet options to address the health aspects at best. Here is how to address Healthy Holiday Eating.
- Take a small dish of your favorite items and then leave the buffet table.
- Start with veggies to curb your hunger.
- Take your time when eating. It requires your brain at least 20 minutes to recognize you’re full.
- Prevent excessive alcohol consumption. If you must have an alcoholic beverage, do so with food. Alcohol can cause blood sugar levels to drop and can interfere with diabetic medications.
It’s also a good idea to keep an eye on your blood sugar levels. During the holidays, check it more frequently, and if you take medicine, ask your doctor whether the dosage must be altered.
4. Keep Moving
This season of the year, you’ve got quite a lot on your plate, and physical exercise might be pushed aside. However, staying active is your secret Christmas weapon; it may help you compensate for overeating and relieve stress during the most traumatic period of the year. Get active with family and friends, like after a holiday dinner with a stroll.
5. Be easy on yourself
It’s a vacation, so relax and enjoy yourself. Don’t put yourself under unnecessary stress by attempting to have healthy holiday eating. Eat a piece of the pie if you want one. If you want some cookies, go ahead, and take them. Just be careful not to overdo it. If you’re concerned about overindulging, make a pact with yourself to save dessert for the final meal of the day (instead of eating them throughout the day). At this time, you’re less inclined to overdo it.
If you follow these easy guidelines, you’ll be able to get through the holidays without gaining a lot of weight, feeling guilty, or going into the emergency room for health reasons. Have a wonderful, safe, and relaxing Christmas season!
