Health Blog: Tips To Stay Healthy During The Holidays

The holidays are a time to spend with family and friends, relax, and enjoy all the little things in our lives that we are blessed with. With this said, the holidays, are also a time of holiday parties which mean endless appetizers, indulgent drinks, and, of course, irresistible desserts. I am going to give you all some tips to enjoy your holidays without going overboard.

The first step is to stay away from the unnecessary calories. For example, order your peppermint mocha at Starbucks skinny to still get the same taste, but without the wanted calories. Choose pie or ice cream for dessert, but not both, one slice of pie or a scoop of ice cream is enough to satisfy your craving without leaving you feeling overfull and guilty. Also, stay away from the hidden calories in holiday alcoholic drinks; especially eggnog. Alcohol has enough empty calories alone; you do not need the added calories so opt for a glass of champagne or a cocktail with fewer calories, such as a vodka tonic.

Next, make sure you eat a small healthy meal before attending holiday parties. This will help keep you from snacking on the endless appetizers that will fill you up before dinner is even served. Some ideas for these small meals are: Greek yogurt with fruit and granola, wheat toast with peanut butter, or even a protein bar for a quick on-the-go option. These mini-meals will leave you feeling satisfied so you do not walk into a party on an empty stomach and feel the need to fill up on caloric appetizers.

Lastly, take advantage of the winter weather and get out and enjoy winter sports with your friends and family! There are endless options that will keep you active while you still enjoy yourself. Go ice-skating, sledding, build a snowman! Anything that will get you outside and moving will make you feel better and help you stay motivated during the cold, dark months of the winter. My personal favorite winter sport is cross-country skiing; I love bundling up and going out on the course with my family (not to mention you can burn up to 300 calories in just 30 minutes). Get out there and get moving! This is the most effective way to keep yourself healthy and happy during the holidays.