Do you want to enjoy the holidays and the special treats that come with them? How can you balance “I want to be healthy” with “You only live once, and I like food?” I’m sharing four of my favorite tips for healthy holiday eating.
1. Make appetizers your friend, not your foe.
Cheese and crackers, baked brie, and fried cheese puffs can easily double your meal’s calories and fat. Whether serving or attending, don’t make fruit and veggies an afterthought. Serve sliced apples and pears, as well as grapes with your apps, along with veggies and low-fat dips, guacamole, or hummus. Make produce the biggest part of your app plate.
2. Use the plate method.
You’ve probably heard this before, but have you put it into practice? Make half your plate vegetables (and fruit), 1/4 protein, and 1/4 starch or grain. This way, you can enjoy your food, but a simple shift in the ratio will easily keep your calories in check.
3. Cocktails are liquid cake.
Yup, I hate to be the bearer of this news. People often say, “I would never drink soda,” but Mojitos, Margaritas, and Appletinis are packed with sugar. Think of it as dessert and decide how important it is. Stick to one cocktail and then choose seltzer or lower-calorie beverages for most of the night. Pour your seltzer into a champagne flute with a twist of lime, orange, or berries so it still feels like a cocktail!
If you drink, choose whatever option you will most likely sip slowly and savor. If I drink Prosecco or Champagne (with a splash of cranberry or apple cider), I’ll drink it slowly. There’s something about champagne and not downing it.
4. Choose wisely.
It helps to remember what is important to you during the holidays. Is it your mom’s apple pie or Aunt Sally’s ham? Decide in advance what the non-negotiables are and skip the everyday options like rolls. Start with a small portion of your favorites, and don’t rush! Savor every bite.
