Tips for Holiday Eating

Now that we are fully entrenched in the Holiday Season, the wear and tear of all of our personal and family commitments may have begun to take a toll. It is very important to take a few moments each day to "check in" and make sure we are eating healthy to maintain our energy to make it through the next few weeks! Try to make sure to eat a healthy breakfast every day. It does not need to be elaborate. Peanut butter on a whole wheat bagel or a lite english muffin and a banana, a bowl of high fiber high protein cereal such as Kashi GO LEAN, or an egg sandwich with lite cheese are all easy and quick choices. If you are planning to be on the run all day, pack a lunch and a few portable snacks. This serves two purposes, saves money and also may just keep you out of the food court at the mall or the drive thu for a quick bite!! A baggie of almonds, container of yogurt, piece of fruit, string cheese or peanut butter on whole wheat crackers will help to curb your hunger and avoid the sweet attack at 3pm. Office parties and neighborhood get togethers are common during this time of year. It pays to keep a few things in mind. First and foremost, do not skimp with your food selections during the day in order to be able to eat in the evening. This usually always backfires! Eat normally during the day and be sure to drink enough water as dehydration can mask itself as hunger! Most importantly, do not go to the gathering hungry! Have a snack before you go to take the edge off as to avoid excessive munching on the pre-meal goodies. I have enclosed some additional holiday Battle Plan tips that may be helpful during this busy time of the year. Have a healthy and happy holiday season!

“Twas my weight before fitness, and up on the scale
I saw numbers a-stirring, and I turned quite pale.
My “thin jeans” were folded in the dresser with care,
In hopes some day soon I would fit in a pair;

So decked in my sweat pants I took to my bed,
While weight loss resolutions danced in my head.
When I awoke in the morning my ideas they came,
And I thought them all through, and I wrote them by name:

“Choose fruits! Choose veggies! Eat correct portion sizes!
Start walking! Get moving! Try new exercises!
I could see to the future – and wow, I look great!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away weight!”

And then I kept going, for weeks I did work
At eating well and exercising for the health perks.
My eyes- how they twinkle! My waist is so lean!
After doing this program, you’ll see what I mean.

Now get ready and set to begin your new quest
For a trim, healthy body and a spirit of zest.
And here’s to my last wish, as my little poem writes,
“Health and fitness to you, and to you a great life.”