By Sarah Pittman
It has always been known that there is typically an increase in calories during the holidays, whether it is Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Years. People like to celebrate with food and higher caloric drinks on special occasions. Which brings me to my next question: what are some healthy tips to fight the extra calories?
Some research has been done on strategies to take charge of your plate at family holiday meals. Harvard Medical School came out with some tips for holiday eating:
- Budget wisely
- Take 10 before taking seconds
- Distance helps the heart stay healthy
- Don’t go out on an empty tank
- Drink to your health
- Avoid alcohol on an empty stomach
- Put on your dancing (or walking) shoes
- Make room for veggies
- Be buffet savvy
- Don’t shop hungry
The overall message from combined research articles revealed overall similarities, which include:
- Do not show up at a holiday party on an empty stomach
- Give your stomach time to assess if you are full
- Limit your alcohol intake
- Take time in between getting seconds or thirds
All in all, enjoy your holiday festivities while maintaining a healthy lifestyle!
This blog was posted by Robin Allen, a member of OneOp (MFLN) Nutrition and Wellness team that aims to support the development of professionals working with military families. Find out more about the OneOp Nutrition and Wellness concentration on our website on Facebook, on Twitter, and LinkedIn.
