Tips for Staying Healthy During the Holidays Part 1
It’s Thanksgiving week which means the holidays have started! It also means there will be tons of opportunities to partake in feasts and celebrations. Unfortunately because it’s the holidays, people tend to forget all their good eating habits because celebration also means food. But worry not because Dr. Will Cole has some tips for you to stay healthy during the holidays. Here’s the first part of this series!
Spoil your appetite
If you’re going to a holiday party where you don’t exactly know what the hosts will be serving, or you know it won’t be on your list of good food choices, have a healthy snack before you go. Taking the edge off hunger will help you to make more rational, healthier choices at the holiday party. Then, if you decide to eat that cookie, you’ll choose to do so rationally instead of compulsively, and move on without polishing off the rest of the plate.
Keep your hands out of the snack bowl
Bowls of pretzels, peanuts, and other grab-a-handful (or a spoonful) snack foods are common at holiday parties. While it may feel instinctive for you to grab some of these treats which, on the surface, seem like a healthier choice than something with frosting or chocolate chips, these snacks are best left alone, too. They typically contain inflammatory oils, like canola or soybean, and inflammatory grains, like wheat. Inflammation is not festive, so keep scanning the food table for a better choice.
Veg out
Most parties put something healthy on the table, if for no other reason to assuage guilt. That’s why I usually find myself standing in front of the vegetable tray, and there is nothing wrong with that! Think what a good example you are setting. When the other party guests see you making healthy choices, they may pick up the broccoli just because you did (you trendsetter). Since most holiday gatherings offer some vegetables, possibly some fruit, and often some meat, keeping it simple by filling up on these nutrient-dense and delicious foods.
BYOT
That stands for Bring Your Own Treat, and what better way to share this holiday season than by showing your friends that eating healthy can be delicious, and you have the goods to prove it? Try making a yummy recipe you found online, or make a healthy twist on a family favorite, and bring it to the party. That way you’ll have at least one sure thing you can eat!
Go for the GF alcohol
I’m not insinuating that drinking alcohol is the healthiest option. We all know it’s not, especially in excess. However, if you’re going to drink it, I want you to have better alternatives, to minimize any damage. My advice is to avoid any alcohol made from grain. That means beer and grain alcohol, especially those made from gluten-containing grains. Instead, go for sugar-free choices made from fruit, like hard cider, wine, tequila, brandy, cognac, and rum. There are even spirits made exclusively from grapes or potatoes (such as potato vodka)! In moderation, these are the smarter choices for you. (And you thought I was going to spoil your party)!
Just say no to sugary holiday drinks
The sugary holiday lattes and hot cocoas that are sold at large chains are absolutely loaded with sugar. Opt for making your own holiday lattes at home. And if you have to have eggnog? Try making it at home with organic, real-food ingredients.
Lay off the sauce
People like to drizzle sauces or include them for dipping everything from meat to chips to fruit, but who knows what ingredients are in those fancy sauces? In many cases, it is wheat flour or refined sugar, so rather than risk a reaction, skip the sauce.
Pre-load with natural medicines
If you know you may end up eating something that doesn’t agree with you, try taking digestive enzymes, probiotics, and anti-inflammatory nutrients like turmeric before the party. While these are not a license to eat everything in sight, they may help soften the blow if you have a run-in with a sugar or gluten bomb.
Don’t be afraid to say “no thank you”
It’s always okay to politely decline something you don’t want, don’t like, or know you should not have. Sure, some of those people in your life may equate love with food or pressure you to try “just one,” but really, has anyone’s day ever been ruined because someone turned down a cookie or drink? I don’t think so. Seconds later they will have forgotten, but you can feel good about your resolve for hours.
Have an organic holiday party
When you’re hosting the holiday party, you get to control the food choices and quality. Why not spread the health-love to all your family and friends? Instead of conventional factory-farmed meat, opt for going local and organic. Beef should be grass-fed, whereas chicken, turkey, and ham should be pasture raised. Choose organic vegetables and fruits, and make a few choice dishes filled with the best possible ingredients. You don’t have to break the bank. Your party can prioritize quality over quantity. Because it’s your party!
Choose one or two tips and start putting them into practice this week. It’ll help you get started with the holidays on the right foot.
We at RISE wish you a healthy and wonderful Thanksgiving!
Blessings,
Dee and Sean and the RISE team
