Healthy Eating Tips For The Holiday

We all look forward to Thanksgiving so we can spend some quality time with family and friends. Unfortunately, if you are on a diet or just trying to eat healthy, the holidays can be another source of stress. It can be very tempting to indulge. How you eat during the holidays depends on several factors, but you need to be prepared if you want to feel better once the holidays are over.

Eating healthy over the holidays does not mean that you should totally give up your favorite Thanksgiving food. You can still eat healthy during the holiday by limiting your portions and avoiding some items altogether.

Here are five healthy eating tips for the holiday:

1. Eat healthy portions.

You should only get one plate of Thanksgiving food. Half of your plate should be for fruit and vegetables, a quarter for carbohydrates like mashed potatoes; sweet potatoes; or bread, and a quarter for your protein source be it turkey or ham. Go for more variety when choosing food for your holiday plate. Include lots of greens, bell peppers, and carrots.

Low-calorie and high-nutrition food items will make you feel full longer and at the same time, you wouldn’t feel bloated or tired.

You can indulge in a little bit of dessert if your diet allows it. Make sure you count it against your caloric allowance.

2. Eat throughout the day.

Starving yourself in the early part of Thanksgiving to “save more room” or give you an excuse to eat more later is a recipe for disaster. We tend to overeat when we get too hungry.

If you’re having Thanksgiving lunch, don’t skip breakfast. Don’t skip lunch and afternoon snacks, when you are going to a Thanksgiving dinner.

3. Choose healthier ingredients.

You can make your meals healthier by using alternative ingredients. Use low-fat or non-fat options for ingredients such as butter, cream cheese, mayonnaise, and sour cream.

4. Drink lots of water and walk after eating.

Many people mistake thirst for hunger. Drinking enough water throughout the day will lower your risk of overeating.

Walking after a hearty meal will help increase metabolism letting you burn more calories compared to lying around.

5. Avoid unhealthy snacks throughout the day.

Snacking constantly throughout the day will lead you to lose track of your total calorie count. Avoid mindless snacking. Eat only two snacks each day, one in the mid-morning and one in the mid-afternoon.

Enjoying Thanksgiving while sticking to a healthy diet is possible with some planning. To balance indulgence and health, control portion sizes, choose nutrient-dense foods, and stay hydrated. Implementing these strategies not only helps maintain your diet but can also reduce potential stress related to holiday eating. For those with health insurance coverage, exploring options like nutritional counseling and preventive care can support maintaining healthy habits throughout the holiday season and beyond.

Source: VISTA Health Solutions