Enjoy the Holiday Treats, WITHOUT the guilt:

There’s nothing quite like the Holidays, celebrating with family and of course eating, eating, and more eating. This season, we are here to give you some tips to follow as you go to your different celebrations. There is a way to enjoy all the foods, without over indulging.

As with anything, the key to eating healthy around the holidays, is to eat in moderation. Everything in moderation. Easier said than done…

Here are a few tips to help you plan for the holidays to come:

1. Ask the host/hostess if you can bring a healthy dish. Then you will for sure have a go to dish at the party.
2. Have a health snack before the get together, that way you won’t go to the party hungry and eat all the munchies sitting out! Also, it is important that you don’t skip any meals the day of the party, stick to your normal routine!
3. Drink Water! And lots of it. Water will help curb your appetite, and will make you feel full faster. Water is also ZERO calories, so you don’t have to worry about your drinks adding up in calories! Save those calories for the REAL food!
4. Try to avoid anything with cream sauces, or butter sauces. If the dish already is seasoned, go ahead and add it to your plate. Just make it a small serving.
5. There are so many sides, you can’t just pick one! Here is an easy solution to that dilemma. Take small serving sizes of each. Think about one-two bite sizes of each side. This way you can sample all the dishes, but again not let your EYES get bigger than your STOMACH!
6. What about DESSERT?! This is where the trouble comes. Really try to limit yourself on this. If you see a dessert that you RARELY get, and it is a favorite, go ahead a take a slice. If you want to try more than one dessert, remember the ONE bite-TWO bites worth.
7. Skip the rolls. As delicious as a homemade roll is, you could replace this with more another side dish. Preferably a healthy side dish. If skipping the roll is a deal breaker for you, take HALF of a roll.
8. Go for a family walk! Each year my family will go for a walk after we eat Thanksgiving dinner before we have dessert. Walking will help digest your food, and help you get a little more activity into your day.
9. Eat more protein! Eat more of the turkey, more of the chicken, or more of the “meat” that is at the get together. Most of the traditional meats are VERY lean. The more protein you eat, the more satisfied you will feel, and the less likely you are to overdo it with the other side dishes.
10. Enjoy the time with your friends and family. If you happen to overdo it a little bit, don’t be hard on yourself. It happens, enjoy being with your family and friends, that’s what the holidays are about!

These are some tips for you to think about as you prepare for the many holiday feasts. It may not be possible to follow every one of these rules, and that is OK! Try to use at least one of these tips at a get together and see if it makes a difference! It’s worth a shot!

Happy Holidays from your coaches at Haka Multisport!