Nutrition Tip - 5 Steps to a Healthy Holiday Meal

5 Tips for a Healthier Holiday Meal

Americans celebrate many holidays. Christmas, New Years, Thanksgiving, Easter, July 4^th, Valentine�s Day, Halloween, and birthdays to name a few. One thing all of these holidays have in common is food. We celebrate by eating large portions, lots of fat, tons of sugar, and too many calories. For those of you looking to manage your weight and stay healthy, holidays are big challenge.

Holidays are celebrated throughout the year, every year. We can�t get away from them. In order to manage our weight and stay healthy throughout the years, we have to learn to work with the holidays. We need to learn to make healthier decisions so we don�t gain excess weight and put ourselves at risk for chronic disease. Here are my five tips to make healthier decisions at holidays events:

Don�t arrive hungry. Arriving at a party hungry can be one of the worst decisions to make. If you are starving and in front of a buffet of delicious food, temptation will get the best of you. You are more likely to overeat and choose the unhealthy foods. Eat a small meal or snack before you go to an event so you can make a healthy decision.
Control portion sizes. It�s ok to eat some of your �unhealthy� holiday favorites, just don�t overdo it. Instead of huge plate full of mashed potatoes, steak, and gravy, have a smaller portion of potatoes and steak and skip the gravy. You still get to enjoy your favorite dishes without all of the guilt.
Fill your plate with healthy choices. It is easier to enjoy your holiday favorites in smaller portions if you pair it with healthy choices like vegetables and salads. Fill up on the �healthy� foods first. A piece of prime rib with roasted vegetables is much better than a piece of prime rib with a loaded baked potato.
Watch out for desserts and alcoholic beverages. These two items are where we can easily go overboard with our calories. Desserts are served after dinner when we are already full and don�t need more food. Alcoholic beverages are served alongside our already filling meals. These two things add calories we don�t need. Limit yourself to a smaller serving of just one dessert. Choose alcoholic beverages that are low in calories and sugar.
Get a workout in. Physical activity on the same day as your holiday event can help balance out your excess calorie intake. Hit the gym for an hour or get outside for a walk/run.

If you celebrate the upcoming Easter holiday, use these tips to help you stay healthy. It is possible to enjoy a holiday without overeating. It takes some strong willpower and mental commitment, but at the end of the day, you will feel good and proud of yourself.