22 Dec 2008
Overindulging during the holidays can happen very easily given the parties, buffets and other seasonal events that feature food, but you can enjoy all of the good things this time of year brings and stay healthy with a little bit of planning.
Start by being practical. This is the time of year for those goodies that you only really get once a year. Give yourself permission to enjoy the things you love about the holidays, but be picky about what you choose. Take a pass on those foods that you can have anytime. When you enjoy a drink, chocolate or dessert, watch your portion sizes and keep them small.
Make a plan before you go out, deciding in advance how many appetizers, hors d’oeuvres and courses you will have. If you are eating at a buffet, avoid those items that are high in fat and calories, like small-bite items wrapped in pastry. If you are hosting a party, offer your guests some healthier nibbles like veggies and dip, antipasto, shrimp and cocktail sauce, smoked salmon and fruit.
Don’t skip meals throughout the day so you can eat more at a social gathering later. If you arrive at a party hungry, you may be setting yourself up to overeat. Instead, eat normally during the day and have a healthy snack like yogurt and fruit or some veggies and a glass of milk before you go out. Pay attention to your appetite and make sure you stop eating when you feel satisfied. This way you’ll be able to enjoy picking and choosing from party foods with some control and moderation.
Don’t forget to include daily physical activity in your holiday routines. If you find the season is so busy that it becomes hard to get in some activity, consider building in a brisk walk at lunchtime, scheduling activity into your day like walking to an appointment, getting together with a friend for a walk or signing up for a regular class, like water aerobics or yoga.
Or just make it a point to get outside and enjoy all the great activities offered throughout Simcoe Muskoka’s winter playground. From tobogganing and walking trails to skiing, skating and snowboarding, there is plenty to keep the whole family busy.
You can also make the New Year a healthy one for your loved ones by giving a Christmas gift that will get them moving. Consider a gym membership, exercise equipment, athletic clothing, dance lessons or gift certificates to a personal trainer. Overindulging during the holidays can happen very easily given the parties, buffets and other seasonal events that feature food, but you can enjoy all of the good things this time of year brings and stay healthy with a little bit of planning.
While eating well and staying active may be a challenge during the holidays, choosing a healthy diet that follows the recommendations of Eating well with Canada’s Food Guide most of the time, enjoying goodies in moderation and being physically active whenever you can, can help you to manage the stress of the holiday season and may help to prevent chronic diseases down the road.
For more information on making your holiday season a healthy one, call Your Health Connection at 721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520 Monday through Friday or visit www.simcoemuskokahealth.org.
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