The holidays are a favorite time for everyone regardless of age. People get a short break from their hectic work schedule or studies, and can spend quality time with their family and friends. The holidays are the time for parties and feasts. Most people enjoy food and often end up eating much more than they should during the festive season. This invites various health related problems after the vacation, such as diabetes, cholesterol – the list goes on. The secret to maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle during the holidays is mindful eating.
Here are some practical tips for healthy eating this holiday season:
- Healthy breakfast: You start your day with breakfast, so make sure it’s healthy. Include healthy food like eggs, oatmeal, whole wheat bread, berries, smoothies, and so on in your breakfast plan.
- Eat more fruits and vegetables: Whether homely meals or parties, make room for fruits and vegetables in your menu as they are full of fiber. Always try to include leafy vegetables in your chart as they are high in protein. And include them in your party menu as salads. Make attractive fruit and vegetable trays to tempt people to eat them.
- Prepare nutritious food at home: Self-cooking is the safest way to eat healthy food. You can try nutrient substitutions and healthy makeovers of everyday boring recipes. At the same time, try to reduce fat and calories without compromising on taste. Cooking at home always beats takeouts and helps you enjoy quality time with your family.
- Drink lots of water: In winter, you may not feel as thirsty as you feel in summer. To avoid dehydration, make a conscious effort to drink enough water. However, try to avoid calorie-rich drinks like juices, sweet ice tea, soda, and so on.
- Don’t skip meals: Make sure every meal at the right time. Skipping a meal can cause health issues like gastritis. Even though you are empting your stomach for a party, you may not feel comfortable. For that, try to take a small meal like fruits before going for a party.
- No alcohol on empty stomach: Avoid alcohol on empty stomach. It will increase your appetite and you will lose control over how much you eat. Sip smarter – drink water and alcohol alternatively to balance your thirst. This will help you stay hydrated while slowing down your drinking.
- Eat slowly: Consuming food slowly aids digestion and also helps stimulate your taste buds. Savor each and every bit of your food.
Don’t ignore exercise during the holidays. Staying physically active is essential to burn calories. Maintain your regular exercise routine. This is important as there’s a chance that you will overeat and all that you eat may not be healthy. Staying active will help you stay fit even if you consume high calorie food.
Health is wealth. Even though vacations are days where you get a break from hectic daily schedule, you should take steps to eat healthy. Take care of your health and enjoy life to the fullest. Happy Holidays!
