Holiday eating. The holidays are some of the happiest times of the year for most of us. We look forward to celebrating them every year. They can also be the most dangerous time of year in terms of eating healthy. With multitudes of sweet treats and fattening family favorites, we are faced with the dilemma do we just eat it and all pay later, or do we eat a little bit here a little bit there and enjoy our 20% of life.
I embrace the 80/20% for healthy living. You should eat healthy and you should enjoy your life. Eighty percent of the time eating fresh, healthy foods and limiting sugar and the junk carbs is not that difficult. Toss in 20-60 minutes a day of exercise and you’re stylin in the feelin good game. Then there is the 20% of fun we all need. We all crave. We all should have. Life is a balance and that certainly extends to eating.
The holidays are especially “precarious” for holding to your 20% fun because of all the choices we have, pretty much daily, for six weeks. Family famous recipes and those special bakery items can wreck havoc with your diet and healthy eating lifestyle. But never fear you can navigate your way through all these tempations.
Have a light snack before you hit the holiday party. When you arrive you’ll be satisfied and less likely to grab the high calorie treats. Nuts, fresh fruit and veggies are a great choice to nibble on and fill you up. As they are good carbs, their saiety lasts a while. Grab some sparking water with fruit or a sparkling wine. If you have a special holiday drink, take sips of water inbetween the sips of the drink. It cuts the heaviness and makes you feel full. Try to steer clear of the heavy dips, sauces and delicious looking baked goods. Or take a small portion and eat half. Try the water trick in between bits. Same idea, you feel full and you’re not as likely to over indulge.
Most of all enjoy yourself! The holidays are a magical time and with a few healthy twists and turns you can keep from sabotaging your eating style. Try the treat but eat a smaller portion. Remember our stomachs are the size of our fist, that’s a portion. Dress up, eat up and drink up within reason. Have a safe and wonderful holiday season!
My PrimeTime Health workshop starts on 1/18/16. Perfect for adults ready to start a new healthy lifestyle for the new year. My LEAN Start workshops start on 1/25/16. These are perfect families to get their healthy new year start! Email me for more information and to register for my events.
http://www.eatingwell.com/nutrition_health/nutrition_news_information/5_diet_tips_for_surviving_holiday_parties
*Disclaimer:
This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Kim Gerhardt, Certified Health Coach, does not take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.
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