The holidays can be a difficult time to maintain a healthy diet with several tempting treats and indulgent dishes that are often available at social gatherings. However, with a few simple modifications, you can still enjoy delicious nostalgic meals while staying healthy. The following are five tips to enjoy the holidays while keeping you on track with your health goals:
-
Use Whole Grain Alternatives: Foods served during the holidays are often low in fiber. Step up your grain game by using whole-grain pasta, whole-grain bread, brown rice, or quinoa as substitutes for refined grains. These will help keep you fuller for longer periods as well.
-
Try Lower-Fat Options: Instead of using heavy creams, sour cream, or full-fat cheeses and cream cheeses try using reduced-fat versions of these ingredients or non-fat Greek yogurt instead. Also, you can try replacing butter with oils that are lower in saturated fat such as olive oil, canola oil, or avocado oil.
-
Incorporate More Vegetables: Add more pops of color to your meal by adding a rainbow of vegetable dishes. You can consider preparing vegetables that are in season and serving them raw, roasted, or steamed. Roasted Brussels sprouts, carrots, or steamed green beans can all be great options for side dishes. You can also consider preparing a fresh salad with a variety of vegetable toppings.
-
Practice Portion Control: During the holidays it can be easy to overeat. Be mindful of how much you’re putting on your plate. Practice filling up half your plate with non-starchy vegetables, a quarter of your plate with protein, and a quarter of your plate with starches or grains.
-
Limit Sugary Beverages: Sugary beverages such as ciders, hot chocolate, or eggnog, which all contain added sugars, are often served at holiday gatherings. Instead, try drinking water or unsweetened teas with your meals.
Remember, the holidays are a time to enjoy with family and friends, and that includes enjoying good food. By making some simple modifications to your holiday dishes you can stay healthy without sacrificing flavor.