Food is everywhere during the holidays—and not all of it is good for us. It’s easy to get caught up in the festivities and overindulge on all that’s sugary, fatty, and salty. Here are some tips you can used to stick to a healthier diet during your next celebration.
- Skip the alcohol or opt for non-alcoholic version of drinks like eggnog and cider. If you do drink, alternate between alcoholic beverages and water—this will fill you up and make you less likely to go for another cocktail or glass of wine (American Heart Association 2013). As always, if you’re drinking, never drink and drive!
- Remember portion sizes and plan your accordingly. For example, a serving of meat or poultry is three ounces, which is about the size of a pack of cards (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute 2013).
- Don’t get to the party hungry. Eating a healthy snack beforehand will make you less likely to tuck in when you arrive (National Diabetes Education Program, n.d.).
- If you eat dessert, split a portion with a friend (American Heart Association 2013).
Find out more healthy holiday eating tips from UF/IFAS professor and nutrition specialist Dr. Linda Bobroff and these UF/IFAS publications:
References
American Heart Association. 2013. Holiday Healthy Eating Guide. Accessed December 3, 2015. http://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@fc/documents/downloadable/ucm_455757.pdf
National Diabetes Education Program. n.d. Helpful Hints for Healthy Holiday Eating. Accessed December 3, 2015. http://ndep.nih.gov/media/Healthy_Holiday_Eating.pdf
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. 2013. “Serving Size Card.” Accessed December 3, 2015. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/wecan/downloads/servingcard7.pdf
Photo credits: leonori/iStock/Thinkstock & Thomas Northcut/DigitalVision/Thinkstock
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