Happy, Healthy Holiday Eating

Allison Marshall, MS RD CDN CDE

With plenty of holiday parties and tempting office treats around every corner, this month can be a challenging time to eat right. While it may not be the best time of year to start a new weight loss plan, you can follow some tried and true tips to keep the pounds off this month. They might even inspire you to get started on those healthy resolutions before the New Year!

Start Your Day Right

Having a healthy, satisfying breakfast helps you load up on fiber, vitamins, and minerals and can prevent you from being ravenous and losing control at your holiday meal later in the day. Try a combination of protein and high-fiber carbohydrates, such as eggs or egg whites and whole wheat toast, a whole-grain English muffin with natural peanut or almond butter, low-fat cottage cheese with fresh fruit, or Greek-style yogurt with chopped walnuts.

Load up on Fruits and Veggies

First Before you reach for the mini-quiches and pigs in a blanket, try to load up on a plate full of fresh cut fruit and vegetables. They will fill you up with fiber and antioxidants, and leave you less likely to overindulge on the less healthy options.

Reach for the Lean Protein When eyeing the buffet table, steer for the protein sources that are lower in saturated fat, such as slices of roasted turkey, shrimp cocktail, salmon, chicken breast, and pork loin.

Be a “Healthy” Guest

While it may be tempting to bring a heaping cookie platter to a friend’s party, opt for a healthier dish. Offer to bring crudite with low-fat ranch dressing, fresh berries with whipped cream, a heaping bowl of mixed greens with chopped veggies, or hummus with whole-wheat pita chips. Then, set a great example for other guests by choosing your own nutritious creations.

Watch the Alcohol

Too much alcohol can add a lot of extra calories and impair your judgment, which can lead to overeating. Try to choose drinks that are lower in sugar, such a small glass of red or white wine, a wine spritzer, a light beer, or a small shot of vodka mixed with a large glass of seltzer and fresh lemon or lime. Try to avoid high-calorie beverages that are mixed with juice or sugary soda, have some food in your stomach before you drink, and remember to drink plenty of water throughout the party to re-hydrate.

Take a Walk

Going for a walk with family or friends before or after a meal is a fun way to burn calories and may even help to suppress your appetite, which prevents you from overeating. Cold and snowy outside? Bundle up and have a snowball fight or stay in by the fire and play the childhood favorite game, Twister.