Stay Healthy This Holiday Season

The holidays are here! For many of us, it’s a time to celebrate with family, friends, and religious communities. Festive foods abound, and we may be tempted to let some of our healthy habits slide. If not carefully managed, this could have an impact on our health!

The good news: you don’t have to compromise on the festivities, and you can still indulge a bit this time of year. Indeed, too-strict dietary limitations can harm more than they help. In extreme cases, they can lead to disordered eating. To stay healthy during the holidays, balance is key – not total denial. Sticking to a routine of regular exercise and healthy dietary choices overall while moderating your intake of treats during celebratory events will help you stay healthy this holiday season.

First, let’s address the big one: eating! During Christmas, Hanukah, and other winter holidays, people tend to throw parties or have special dinners with family and friends. Food is a traditional way to connect socially, and as human beings, we need social interaction to be mentally healthy. Here are some tips for moderating your holiday eating while still enjoying the occasion.

• • At the dinner table or buffet, fill at least half your plate with vegetable dishes. Vegetables contain many vitamins and minerals and tend to be low in calories.
  • Don’t skip meals to “save up” for a holiday feast! It may seem like a good way to balance your calorie intake, but in reality, if you’re very hungry you’re much more likely to overindulge when you do eat.
  • Going to a potluck? Bring a healthy dish, like beans, sweet potatoes, or greens.
  • Substitute a seltzer, coffee, or tea for an alcoholic drink. Even replacing one alcoholic beverage with something non-alcoholic can make a difference.
  • Remember: everything in moderation. Labeling foods as “bad” or “forbidden” leads to guilt and stress. Instead, focus on a balanced diet overall.

Getting exercise can also be a challenge, between social commitments and colder, darker days. Even just a few minutes of exercise helps! Give these ideas to increase your physical activity a try:

• • Is your destination a walkable distance from your home? Bundle up and take a walk over.
  • When you’re out shopping, take a lap around the shopping center before getting down to your gift-buying business.
  • When driving, try parking further away and walk briskly to your destination.
  • Use the stairs, rather than the elevator or escalator, at every opportunity.
  • Block off time in your calendar to exercise, whether it’s going to the gym, turning on a fitness video on YouTube, or taking a run around the neighborhood.

Dietary supplements can also help you digest more easily and maintain a healthy metabolism. Getting enough magnesium, for example, helps the body perform many daily functions, including metabolizing energy efficiently. Probiotic supplements keep the gut healthy for optimal digestion and nutrient absorption. B vitamins have been shown in studies to improve metabolism and stimulate weight loss. These supplements are all available at ProNatural Health’s online store and at our office.

Are you interested in creating an individualized nutritional plan with a holistic healthcare provider? Make an appointment today at ProNatural Wellness by calling (860) 829-0707.

Sources: Penn Medicine, CDC (1, 2), AARP, NIH