The holidays bring plenty of opportunities to indulge in your favorite sweets. Here are 8 ways to have a healthy holiday and still enjoy your top treats in this article from the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina. You'll also find a wonderful recipe for Pineapple Carrot Muffins.
Eight Tips for a Healthy Holiday
By Sara Clement, RD, LDN
1. Eat Your Favorites!: When there are a lot of options to eat at your holiday meal – pick your favorite things. Just because it is available, or a holiday food does not mean you have to eat it.
2. No Skipping Meals: Do not skip meals to save your calories for next meal. Eat a healthy balanced breakfast and lunch, this will also help you not overeat!
3. Drink Water: Avoid sugary beverages during holiday meals, opt for water or a low-calorie option. Stay hydrated through the holiday season.
4. Mindful Desserts: There will always be desserts at holiday meals, make sure you enjoy them but be mindful. If there are several of your favorites, take small pieces to make a sample plate. Bring low sugar options or choose lighter choices when available.
5. Vegetables!: Bring vegetables to your next holiday gathering that are not starchy veggies. Make a simple delicious dish like roasted Brussels sprouts, kale salad, or simple toss salad with leafy greens. Once you fill half your plate with vegetables make sure to eat those first! Eating your veggies first makes sure you intake those nutrients and fiber that can help fill you up.
6. Eat Slower: Eating slower can help you eat less; it takes the brain up to 20 minutes to realize you are full. Take time to savor each bite, talk to your family and friends, and enjoy the season.
7. Is it Delicious?: Do you always love everything on your plate at a holiday meal? If you start eating something that you do not love - leave it on your plate and enjoy your favorites. To avoid food waste, take small portions of items you want to eat or try.
8. Physical Activity: Instead of the standard after lunch nap, get your friends and family to take a walk. Physical activity does not have to be vigorous, a walk around the neighborhood, playing with kids outside, or going to your local park are all great options to keep everyone up and moving.
Enjoy this recipe for Pineapple Carrot Muffins by the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina.
Healthy Recipe Videos
The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina has put together a series of healthy recipe videos that are available to watch
on YouTube.com HERE. About the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina: The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina is a nonprofit organization that has provided food for people at risk of hunger in 34 counties in central and eastern North Carolina for 40 years. The Food Bank serves a network of more than 900 partner agencies such as soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters, and programs for children and adults through warehouses in Durham, Greenville, New Bern, Raleigh, the Sandhills (Southern Pines), and Wilmington.
The Food Bank not only feeds those who are hungry; but also works to benefit community health. That’s why, in 2016, the Food Bank launched a
Community Health & Engagement Department. With two nutritionists on staff, the Food Bank shares recipes, healthy tips, and other resources for partner agencies and neighbors in need. The on-site teaching kitchen in Raleigh offers cooking demonstrations and nutrition education to highlight easy, quick, and low-cost recipes using healthful foods like whole grains, fresh produce, low fat dairy, and lean meats.
Monthly Articles from the Food Bank
The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina shares regular articles about nutrition and health education so we know what to look for when we head to the grocery store and plan our healthy meals.
