Eating Healthfully During the Holidays
- By Terry Daniels
- Published 12/6/2010
- Food and Drink
- Unrated
The holidays are a time for fun and feasting. However, the majority of the meals and dishes that are prepared to celebrate are full of calories and fat.
It can be extremely difficult to eat healthfully during the winter season; many find that this is the time of year where they gain the most weight. Even with all of the creamy soups, delicious desserts, and calorie-packed sides, you can find a way to eat healthfully and keep the pounds off.
When it comes to meal choices, there are definitely better food options to consume than others. Turkey is one of the leanest meats available, and if cooked right, can be great for your body.
Doing your best to preserve its lean properties will help you to avoid extra calories and lowering the item's nutritional value. Avoid adding glazes or marinades that are dripping with butter or sugars, for these will only increase the fat that is present in your turkey.
When you cook it, try to bake or broil it, preferably in a pan on a rack so that the fat can drop off into the collection bowl. Choosing the part of the bird that you want to eat can be tricky; the legs and dark meat offer some of the juiciest and tastiest cuts.
However, this is also the area that provides the highest amount of calories, so it is best to stick with white breast meat. If you are hoping to eat as healthfully as you can, then you should never fry a turkey.
Those that wish to consume other meat options for their first should try to go for the leanest cuts possible. Another way to focus on more nutritious snacks is to bring some with you to whichever potluck or holiday event you attend.
It will be beneficial for the other health-conscious guests that attend, and you can spend the majority of the time snacking on what you brought with you, as opposed to fatty dips and side dishes. Good ideas for things that you can bring along are fruits plates
, vegetable crudite trays, or low-fat cheese and whole wheat crackers.
Vegetables are full of fiber, which helps to make your stomach feel stuffed and prevent you from overeating. If you stock up on these foods, then you are less likely to gorge yourself on other less nutritious options; you will already be full and satisfied with the appetizers you have consumed.
Most of the time, you can find delicious options for appetizers that are also good for your body. When it comes to dairy products, you may wish to avoid using the full-fat types in your cooking.
This includes sour cream, whole milk, and whipped cream. There are plenty of substitutes that you can add, instead, and most of the time your dinner guests will not even notice.
If you are planning on going to another individual's house for a holiday party, dinner, or celebration, make sure to eat a little beforehand. Eat a healthy snack, like apples or celery, before you leave the house.
You should also avoid "saving your appetite" for meals later on in the day; doing this can cause you to gorge yourself and fill up when you finally do sit down to eat. When a person is hungry, it can be difficult for them to avoid their favorite or the fattiest dishes.
Trying to diet during the holiday season can be unrealistic. If you are not committed, sticking to a very strict eating plan will only backfire.
Instead, it may be better for you to choose certain items that you know are high in fat and calories and wish to avoid; that way, you can still eat some of your favorite dishes, while cutting out those that will sabotage your weight. Removing all holiday treats from your diet may cause you to binge and affect your health.
It is very important to maintain an exercise regimen during this time; if you are unable to in the outdoors, due to chilly weather conditions, make use of exercise equipment at home or a gym. Staying fit through the holidays is not impossible; you may just have to pay more attention to the things you eat and how often you work out.
It can be extremely difficult to eat healthfully during the winter season; many find that this is the time of year where they gain the most weight. Even with all of the creamy soups, delicious desserts, and calorie-packed sides, you can find a way to eat healthfully and keep the pounds off.
When it comes to meal choices, there are definitely better food options to consume than others. Turkey is one of the leanest meats available, and if cooked right, can be great for your body.
Doing your best to preserve its lean properties will help you to avoid extra calories and lowering the item's nutritional value. Avoid adding glazes or marinades that are dripping with butter or sugars, for these will only increase the fat that is present in your turkey.
When you cook it, try to bake or broil it, preferably in a pan on a rack so that the fat can drop off into the collection bowl. Choosing the part of the bird that you want to eat can be tricky; the legs and dark meat offer some of the juiciest and tastiest cuts.
However, this is also the area that provides the highest amount of calories, so it is best to stick with white breast meat. If you are hoping to eat as healthfully as you can, then you should never fry a turkey.
Those that wish to consume other meat options for their first should try to go for the leanest cuts possible. Another way to focus on more nutritious snacks is to bring some with you to whichever potluck or holiday event you attend.
It will be beneficial for the other health-conscious guests that attend, and you can spend the majority of the time snacking on what you brought with you, as opposed to fatty dips and side dishes. Good ideas for things that you can bring along are fruits plates
Vegetables are full of fiber, which helps to make your stomach feel stuffed and prevent you from overeating. If you stock up on these foods, then you are less likely to gorge yourself on other less nutritious options; you will already be full and satisfied with the appetizers you have consumed.
Most of the time, you can find delicious options for appetizers that are also good for your body. When it comes to dairy products, you may wish to avoid using the full-fat types in your cooking.
This includes sour cream, whole milk, and whipped cream. There are plenty of substitutes that you can add, instead, and most of the time your dinner guests will not even notice.
If you are planning on going to another individual's house for a holiday party, dinner, or celebration, make sure to eat a little beforehand. Eat a healthy snack, like apples or celery, before you leave the house.
You should also avoid "saving your appetite" for meals later on in the day; doing this can cause you to gorge yourself and fill up when you finally do sit down to eat. When a person is hungry, it can be difficult for them to avoid their favorite or the fattiest dishes.
Trying to diet during the holiday season can be unrealistic. If you are not committed, sticking to a very strict eating plan will only backfire.
Instead, it may be better for you to choose certain items that you know are high in fat and calories and wish to avoid; that way, you can still eat some of your favorite dishes, while cutting out those that will sabotage your weight. Removing all holiday treats from your diet may cause you to binge and affect your health.
It is very important to maintain an exercise regimen during this time; if you are unable to in the outdoors, due to chilly weather conditions, make use of exercise equipment at home or a gym. Staying fit through the holidays is not impossible; you may just have to pay more attention to the things you eat and how often you work out.
Terry Daniels
Terry Daniels is an accomplished expert in health and fitness. He recommends the besttreadmills you can find in the market. Contact Info: Terry Daniels TerryDaniels09@gmail.com http://www.proform.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Category_-1_14201_16002_29509_Y
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