The festive season can be a special challenge to people who are nutritionally conscientious and who want to maintain a healthy lifestyle during the holidays. For many, it also presents a challenge to avoid gaining a few pounds at this time.
This article will provide some helpful tips for maintaining a sound eating plan in spite of the increased number of social events, which traditionally center around food, at this time of the year.
1 - Take good care of yourself. Make sure you get adequate rest and fresh air. Drink plenty of pure water. Avoid the stress of having too much to do with too little time to do it in. Don't end up eating comfort foods because you are over-tired and over-stressed.
2 - Keep physically active between parties. Regular exercise will help you to relieve stress that can occur from a hectic schedule. Take the time to include activities, whether it be walking, aerobics or a work-out at the gym.
When you are shopping, you can sneak in some exercise by parking your vehicle a little further away from your destination and walking. These extra steps can add up quickly, as you run your errands.
You can also take a few moments to dance to some enjoyable music while you are housecleaning or doing chores at home.
3 - It is a good idea to try to include some extra physical exercise to help offset some of those extra calories! Plan a holiday get-together around some non-food related activity such as ice-skating, cross-country skiing, tobogganing, snowmobiling, sleigh rides or simply walking in the fresh air.
4 - Plan. Include healthy foods on your holiday shopping list. Serve raw vegetables, fruits, whole grain breads and crackers, with low-fat dips.
5 - When you are invited over to somebody's home, offer to bring a food item if food will be served.
You can improve your eating options by bringing a tasty, nutritious dish, such as a colorful veggie platter with a low-fat dip or a marinated vegetable dish. (Always clean your produce first with Sunrider Fruit and Veggie Rinse!)
For appetizers, use low-fat, whole grain crackers, rye cocktail bread or mini pita breads.
6 - Especially when you are invited out for an evening meal, select healthy food choices at breakfast and lunch. If you skip meals, you will be overly hungry for supper. It will then be more difficult to make wise choices regarding the types of food to eat and portion sizes.
A fruit eaten just before you leave home will take the edge off your hunger and enable you to eat more wisely.
7 - Be aware of high-fat foods. Fat contains twice the calories that sugar does. It lurks in pastries, cheese balls, dips, cocktail wieners, fancy crackers, chips, nuts, eggnog and appetizers.
Always start with high-fiber choices such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. If you do decide to eat higher-fat foods, keep your portions small. Also, limit how often you choose to have these items.
8 - Avoid alcohol. It stimulates your appetite and it has calories! It also weakens your resolve to limit food intake. Drink non-alcoholic beverages such as juices, soda water or herbal teas, instead.
9 - Be realistic. Holidays do have many social events that involve food. Be fair to yourself. If you want to lose a few pounds, you can aim to maintain your weight over the holidays and resume your weight-loss efforts in the New Year.
If you can avoid a weight gain over the holidays, you will have accomplished a worthwhile step in the right direction.
10 - If you are determined to lose some weight during the festive season, have a plan and stick to it. Do not allow yourself to be pressured into eating more than you want to or when you are not hungry. Focus on getting your enjoyment from visiting and socializing with friends and loved ones, rather than from food.
I wish you success in eating sensibly during the holidays. Have a healthy holiday season!
Dr. Gail Smolinski, Doctor of Natural Medicine, has her Doctor of Naturopathy degree and is Board Certified in Traditional Naturopathy and in Nutritional Wellness.
She is a Certified Low Intensity Laser Therapist, Master Herbalist, Registered Nutritional Consultant, Professional Homeopath and Holistic Iridologist.
Dr. Gail offers Low Intensity Laser Therapy, health consultations, bio-energetic therapies, detoxification footbaths and a wide variety of professional health products at her natural health clinic. You may contact her at 306-783-1261. This column is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.
