It’s the most wonderful time of the year! And with all that wonder that comes family, friends, and of course, food. Between all the parties and holiday meals, it can be easy for healthy eating habits to take second place to celebrating. Here are a few tips to keep you on track this season!
Watch your portions:
- It can be easy to overload your plate with tons of goodies. One of the best ways to combat this is to use a smaller plate. It tricks you into doling out less food onto your plate. Goodbye oversized portions, goodbye unwanted weight gain!
Stay Active:
- The holidays are a very busy time, and it can be hard to prioritize getting a good sweat. Try blocking out 30 min (yes, only 30!) a day for some type of physical activity. Weather too cold? Try an online workout video on YouTube and sweat it out in the basement!
Focus on Fiber:
- Unfortunately, many common holiday foods lack adequate fiber. Do your best to eat fiber-rich foods, such as vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. Need a quick snack on the go? Try a NuGo Fiber d’lish bar, which packs 12g of natural fiber per serving!
Watch Your Liquid Calories:
- For all of my 21+ friends, this one’s for you. Alcohol is everywhere during the holiday season, and all those calories add up fast! Be smart about the booze you consume at gatherings. Aside from the sugary juice and soda mixers, alcohol is high in calories and can lower inhibitions, making you more likely to overindulge on other goodies. Try nursing your glass slowly and drinking water, seltzer, or unsweetened iced tea in between.
Practice Moderation:
- You’ve heard it a million times: everything in moderation. It is perfectly fine to indulge in your grandma’s apple pie that she only makes for Thanksgiving. Most of these foods only come around once a year, so enjoy them, of course, in moderation.
- Pro tip: Skip the foods and extra calories that you can get any other time of the year
About the Author:
Monica Werkin is a dietetic intern and graduate nutrition student at the University of Pittsburgh, working her way towards becoming a registered dietitian. Growing up in an Italian family, her passion for nutrition stems from a basic love of food, which grew into a fascination with health and eating right. After becoming an RD, she hopes to work in a specialized area of clinical nutrition. When she’s not in school, Monica is an occasional blogger, enjoys cooking, working out, and looking at puppies online.