You Can't DENY- Holiday Food is Tempting!

(By: Kimberly A. Tessmer, RD LD)

You definitely cannot deny the fact that the Holiday's are full of tasty, tempting and high calorie foods!  The Holidays are a time to celebrate and food is one of the pleasures of family gatherings, parties with friends and office get-togethers.  Just because you are trying to stick with a healthy eating pattern does not mean that you have to avoid all Holiday celebrations.  

The bigger problem is that denying yourself of your favorite holiday foods can end up coming back to bite you in (well any place that packs on the fat!).  Depriving yourself of foods that you want or feeling guilty about eating them will most likely increase your cravings for those foods.  Cravings increase your risk of over indulging in foods and we all know that over indulging means too many calories.  All foods, even those traditional Holiday treats, can fit into a healthful eating plan for the calorie conscious. The secret is moderation and balance.  So, don't deny yourself of those special Holiday treats, just eat them in moderation!  Your waist line will probably thank you for it later.

Don't Give Up Your Good Eating Habits!

(By: Kimberly A. Tessmer, RD LD)

Don't let the busy Holiday season kick your good eating habits to the curb!  Even though you are busy with parties, friends, family, shopping, etc... there is always time to make sure you are eating right.  Too busy for breakfast at least grab for a piece of fruit, low-fat yogurt, glass of skim milk, or whole-wheat bagel.  

Don't let your busy schedule get in the way of your healthy diet.  Make sure you are still eating at least three balanced meals per day, drinking plenty of water, getting in regular exercise and getting plenty of rest.  If you can't eat three large meals per day, scale them down to five to six small meals per day. Taking a one-a-day multivitamin in addition to your healthy diet can ensure you are getting all the nutrients your body needs for optimal health.  No matter how busy you get, listen to your body and take care of yourself.  This will ensure you are healthy and happy when the actual Holiday rolls around.