The holidays are here!!!! Pumpkin pie, cheesy square potatoes, sugar cookies, stuffing with gravy, and peanut brittle are just a few of the favorite holiday foods that Teton County Extension staffers are talking about. The fitness and health food industry can hardly contain themselves because January 1st is fast approaching. New Year’s Resolutioners will be motivated and ready to buy gym memberships and weight loss pills and buy into the latest and greatest diet strategy. Why not try a new strategy this year for the holidays? This year, enjoy your favorite holiday meals and treats, but in moderation, while adding a few new healthier recipes and getting exercise every day!
Tips to Enjoy Your Holidays Healthfully
Moderation
We have all heard this word, and you can apply it to all areas of your life. Rather than having Thanksgiving or Christmas Dinner repeated for a week after, freeze leftovers, donate food to shelters, or scale down the total amount that you make on the day of your dinner. Have your favorite Christmas dessert at Christmas dinner, but not three days following the holiday.
Substitutions
Put a little butter on those mashed potatoes, but hold the gravy! Trying to eat all low-fat, low-calorie, and no-fun foods will only make you crave your favorite holiday meals and treats. So this year, make a few substitutions rather than putting your favorite foods on the chopping block. Increasing your vegetables with more leafy greens or colorful vegetables, adding more herbs and spices, and cooking with healthier oils can all be ways to make healthy substitutions. Pick a few of your family recipes and make healthy changes, such as decreasing the cream sauces or butter that you use. If there is one dish that you refuse to make “healthier” changes to, that’s okay – just make the changes to a different recipe.
Hold the Drinks
We all have our favorite drinks during the holidays, from wine to pumpkin spice lattes. This year, using the idea of moderation, have the piece of pie but hold the glass of wine. Have your favorite Christmas coffee cake, but hold the latte or vice versa.
Be Active
We all know that we are going to have scheduling conflicts during the holiday season, however, keeping your active/exercise schedule the same will only make you a happier holiday person! When January 1st hits, you won’t regret the lack of activity you participated in during the holidays. This also can offset the extra calories you may have had during those holiday work parties. After you eat Christmas dinner, get outside and take a short 15 to 30-minute walk around the block or walk your dog!
This year, enjoy your holidays with your favorite meals and treats but use moderation and exercise. Instead of planning on starting a diet on January 1st, pick a New Year’s resolution, like reading a book a month or increasing your volunteer time!
Written by Vicki Hayman, MS, University of Wyoming Extension Nutrition and Food Safety Educator