Eat and Be Merry: Tips for Healthy Holiday Indulging

Eating healthy during the holidays can be challenging, especially when there is a cornucopia of foods to choose from. However, you do not need to give up your favorite Thanksgiving dishes to maintain your weight. By following these tips at your holiday table, you can enjoy both the food and your family without worrying about your health:

1. Prevent Overeating- Be sure to eat a wholesome breakfast and lunch before going to your Thanksgiving destination. When we don't eat for long periods of time, our blood sugar goes down and we tend to overeat at our next meal. By spacing out meals throughout the day, our blood sugar stays steady and we are not as prone to overindulge at dinner.
2. Remember Portion Sizes - Every dish can be enjoyed as long as you keep to appropriate portion sizes. A good rule of thumb is to fill half your plate with vegetables, 1/4 of it with turkey or other meat, and the remaining 1/4 of the plate with a starch, such as stuffing or mashed potatoes. Eat slowly and enjoy your food until you are full.
3. Remove the Skin From the Turkey. Turkey is an excellent source of lean protein to support our muscles, but the skin can be loaded with fat. Try removing the skin to lower the fat and calories before you eat it. This will help to keep your cholesterol in check also.
4. Raid Your Spice Cabinet - Foods do not always need to be flavored with heavy amounts of butter and salt. Try new seasonings, either dried or fresh, to help maintain a healthy heart and blood pressure. Try seasoning your turkey with coriander and sage, or use ground thyme in your potatoes or stuffing.
5. Save Calories, Drink Water. Specialty holiday drinks such as eggnog can be high in fat sugar, and calories, especially if alcohol is in the recipe. Remember that certain drinks, like alcohol or sweetened beverages should be consumed in moderation. Indulging in a glass of wine with dinner is a good option when selecting a beverage to celebrate the holidays.
6. Save Room for Dessert. What are the holidays without apple or pumpkin pie? Enjoy a small sliver instead of a large slice or remove some of the crust to lower the fat and calories. A plate of fruit is also a great healthy go-to option if you are craving something sweet.

Make sure you add some physical activity each day along with consuming a healthful diet. Enjoy the holidays by taking small steps to eat less, enjoy your meals and your family, and stay in shape for the New Year.

 

Holiday Traveling Tips: Be Prepared, Be Safe and Be Merry

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Year’s, long-distance trips increase by 54 percent, and another 23 percent between Christmas and New Year’s alone, compared to the rest of the year. With this much coming and going, it’s really important to be prepared so that everyone arrives at their destinations safely and with as little stress as possible.

Statistics show that about 5 to 6 percent of holiday travel is by air, so let’s look at a few holiday traveling tips for surviving the flight.

Holiday traveling Tips for the Plane

• As best as possible, try to book your flights two or three days before and after the holiday, and book direct flights with no or few stopovers or connecting flights.

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• Where possible, arrange for a friend to drop you off at the airport or take a shuttle.

• If you take your car, remember to hide all valuables and keep a set of booster cables in the trunk in the event your battery dies while you’re away.

• Call before you leave for the airport even if the weather is good to find out if there are any delays in departure or any of your connecting flights.

• Arrive early. “Domestic travelers should arrive ... two hours prior to departure ... international travelers should arrive three hours prior.” (TravelSense.org)

• Send your gifts ahead by courier or mail. If you’re taking gifts with you on the flight, make sure they’re unwrapped. Take gifts bags and tissue paper with you to wrap when you arrive at your destination.

• Be mentally prepared for setbacks, but maintain a positive attitude, and come prepared for boredom and delays.

• Remember the TSA 3-1-1 policy: “Liquids, aerosols and gels must be contained in three ounces or less; items must be put in a one quart, clear plastic zip-top bag; and, only one sip-top bag per passenger” (Transportation Security Administration).

• Know what items are on the TSA’s prohibited list to save time through check-in.

Holiday travel driving tips

Even though most of the travel tips are for air travelers, as mentioned only 5 to 6 percent of traveling during the holidays is done by air.
Approximately 94 percent of the 42.2 million people traveling at least 50 miles during the holiday season will be driving, according to AAA. (CNNTravel)
Preparing for the trip should happen well in advance of the actual day:

• Give your car a thorough maintenance and mechanical assessment. Check tire wear and pressure (snow tires are recommended for travelling through snowy areas). Check and replace wiper blades if necessary.
Top up your windshield wiper fluid and make sure you have extra jugs in your trunk. Have the oil changed, and the brakes tested. Have battery levels checked, too. Check your turn and brake signals.

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• Include an Emergency Road Kit in your trunk, particularly if you’re driving through snowy weather.
Your Emergency Road Kit should include: an “ice scraper, snow brush; sand, cat litter or traction mats; a small shovel; gloves, hats and blankets; flashlight with fresh batteries; shop rags or paper towels; jumper cables; warning flares or triangles; drinking water; non-perishable snack bars; warm clothes; first aid kit; basic hand tools; mobile phones (with important numbers already programmed, and charger.” (CNN Travel)

• Plan your route and find out the weather for the route you’ll be taking.

• Make sure your driving plan allows for delays, and take a break every 90 minutes or so if there is only one licensed driver in the vehicle.

• “Make a rule that nothing requiring a battery charge reside in the front of the car. Cell phones, MP3 players, DVD players, etc. they are all potential distractions ...” (CarConnection.com)

• Be considerate of others. “Keep your emotions in check and be mindful of others on the road. Allow plenty of space between you and the car in front of you. Merge with caution. Keep in the right lane unless passing ... show goodwill toward all.” (CarConnection.com)

Happy and Safe Travels to all!