With holiday season in full swing, people can easily go to extremes with eating. On one end of the spectrum, you may decide to completely abandon your healthy eating habits. Large portion sizes and third servings of pecan pie fill your plate while you think to yourself “I won’t worry about healthy eating until after January 1st”. On the other side of the spectrum, some of you may decide to completely avoid any “unhealthy” foods. You avoid any food high in fat/sugar and even refuse a slice of your absolute favorite- pumpkin pie because you are not sure how much fat and sugar was used to make it. My advice for the upcoming holiday feast… aim to be in the middle of that spectrum.
The key to balance is being mindful while choosing foods and dishing out serving sizes. Consider choosing the holiday favorites that you can only get one time a year (hello Nanny Pam’s sweet potato casserole!). Slow down and take time to enjoy your food. If you have a food craving during the holiday party, I say enjoy the food in moderation. Feeling food deprived is a recipe for disaster. For those of you trying to lose weight, I recommend focusing on maintaining your current weight during the holidays.
Food should be celebrated not demonized. Here are rewarding nutritional aspects of some common holiday favorites…
Turkey: white meat is a great source of lean protein
Sweet Potato Casserole: awesome source of beta-carotene (form of vitamin A) and good source of potassium, vitamin C and fiber
Pumpkin Pie: rich in carotenoids (precursor to vitamin A) and fiber while also providing vitamin C, potassium, and iron
Green Bean Casserole: good source of vitamin A and vitamin C
If you are doing the cooking this year, consider making healthy substitutions such as avoiding turkeys injected with high sodium solutions, using egg substitutes and evaporated skim milk in pumpkin pies, or using low fat/low sodium cream of mushroom soup for green bean casserole.
What foods do you plan on celebrating this holiday?
Kasey
I am looking forward to some seafood gumbo, it is my favorite. Otherwise I am not really craving anything, I will take your advice and eat in moderation. I will also continue to work out to help out with the extra calories. I am also looking forward to red wine!!!
Hey some more pumpkin pie sounds good!!
Red wine can definitely be celebrated! It high in antioxidants and contains resveratrol which may promote longevity and anti-inflammatory effects.
Good tips!!! Love your blog!!! Happy Holidays to you!!!
i LOVE turkey for a holiday food! im celebrating the DOVE peppermint dark chocolates!
The key in our family is to not bring the junk in the house during this season. That way, when we are at a party or celebration, we can have a treat there. As much as it pains me to throw out food, I will be tossing any baked goods or chocolates that we are given as gifts this year. Last year we received numerous gifts of food and let’s just say, it didn’t look so good on my thighs.
Saw your link on Freddy’s site and thought I’d come over and say hi! You have some very nice credentials! The food looks good too! I love to cook, but I keep it pretty simple. It’s like art. I can’t say if it will taste good, but I can make a pretty presentation
Just found your blog! I’m studying to be an RD myself so I’m really loving it so far!
I’ve been celebrating with lots of chanukah food. Although not traditionally the healthiest I’ve been trying to make the food healthier. Like whole wheat challah bread, adding zucchini to my latkes (or using sweet potatoes). Love holiday food!
Awwww thanks for the sweet comment!!!
Yes the parfait was so good, but I was like hmmmm is this too much like dessert!! lol!!!
Keep in touch!!!! : )
just found your blog and wanted to say hello!
planning to celebrate with my mom’s famous sweet bread — she only makes it twice a year!
Get Kinded
Kind Bar giveaway… Perfect for holiday snacking