3 Tips to Keep Healthy during the Holidays

The holiday season is here! It is time for colorful foods with scents that beckon memories, music that is designated for certain seasons and token symbols like the turkey or Christmas tree posted on every decoration. 

Each year the holiday season approaches and a conversation of when to say “no” or how to watch food portions hangs in the midst of grand delicacies that make mouths water. We feel the weight of this conversation and have good news: you can have your cake and eat it too. Holidays do not have to mean depriving you or your loved ones of the relished foods, it simply means implementing basic disciplines to cruise through the holidays with happiness and health. After some research in and out of the office, here is yet another three-step guide piece on holiday food:

1.       Prepare for the Party

Arriving to an event hungry with delicious, yet high in calorie, foods will be a mistake. Make sure to grab a small snack before the buffet begins. This does not mean show up without an appetite, but having something previously on your stomach will help when decisions at the food table need to be made. The light snack should be a healthy selection that is high in water content, which will fill you up faster. If you want to contribute to the spread, maybe suggest bringing a healthy dish!

2.       Stay Active at Any Cost

Holidays not only meaning more food but also more people, so getting time to exercise might be difficult. Regardless, keep activity on the priority list. This could mean fitting in a work out right before the big meal or party. The food will not only be festive but also a reward after working hard. Another suggestion is multi-tasking during errands. When the grocery store calls and a jog is put on the back burner, walk swiftly and engage your core during lifting. These may seem silly, but the smallest burst of activity will help with health and usually supply more energy.

3.       Choose Your Calories Carefully

If this season is the only time you indulge in these treats, be wise in your selection. Try to steer away from eating calories that are common all year round and taste the pumpkin pie, gingerbread cookies or eggnog. Be aware of portions and the fact that beverages contain calories! When hosting a party, you might even decide to grab smaller serving utensils and skinnier glasses. Choose carefully and appreciate each dish on your plate.

Lastly, take time to enjoy the holidays and all that it brings. ‘Tis the season to find joy with your loved ones and let the memorable food enhance the experience. Take in the sights, scents, and sounds. Holidays aren't meant to set you back, but push you forward into the new year.

Sources:

http://www.thedeserve.com/964-real-men-cook-kitchen-too.html

http://www.realsimple.com/health/nutrition-diet/healthy-eating/eat-healthy-during-holidays-10000001683797/

http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/4-ways-to-eat-healthy-during-the-holiday-season.html#b

http://www.active.com/nutrition/articles/10-strategies-to-prevent-the-holiday-bulge

Healthier Halloween Snacking!

Halloween is a time for dressing up and having fun, and a lot of the having fun part is eating candy J But it’s important to remember that no matter what time of year, it’s important to check how much we’re eating.

Healthy habits are also important to pass down to the younger generation.  Children should be allowed to enjoy themselves, but should also learn to enjoy healthy snacks as much as they do candy bars. Here are a few health(ier) Halloween holiday recipes that you can make and enjoy with your children, your nieces and nephews, or your little cousins!

Candy Apples:

Have fun decorating these apples with chocolate and sprinkles! It’s a fun activity and apples are a much healthier option than candy bars (even if you add a little chocolate J)

Recipe here ->http://bit.ly/18q8qoR

Peanut Butter Cups:

It’s as good as the real thing, and it’s a little better for you! Instead of peanut butter, it is filled with almond butter and ground chia seeds that slows digestion and gives you a burst of energy!

Recipe here-> http://bit.ly/HLaacc

Fruit Snacks:

Corn syrup makes fruit snacks sugary and a not so great treat for kids. This version made with fruit, grass-fed gelatin, and honey is much better for you and you can make different shapes with molds or ice cub trays!

Recipe here -> http://bit.ly/Ph9N2y

Peanut Butter M&Ms:

This homemade recipe for peanut butter M&Ms doesn’t make it healthy, but takes away some of the guilt that comes with eating the store bought brand. Instead of preservatives, sugar, and peanut butter, the recipe incorporates oats, dates, peanut butter, almonds, and peanuts into the filling.

Recipe here -> http://bit.ly/1023CiY

Remember that by no means are these snacks healthy! They are simply healthier options. But making them with your children and explaining each ingredient will teach the little ones about making healthier choices when they are craving something sweet J Building good habits at a young age is so important and makes life easier for you later on!

Sources:

http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/food/nutrition/nutrition/life_stages/hgic4112.html

http://greatist.com/health/homemade-candy-recipes

http://spoonful.com/recipes/healthy-halloween-treats