Have a Happy and Healthy Holiday!

It’s Thanksgiving break! Thanksgiving kicks off the holiday season. The holiday season is a time to celebrate with family and friends. Unfortunately, for some it also becomes a time when you find yourself over-eating and possibly gaining weight. The holiday season doesn’t have to lead to weight gain. How can we avoid putting on extra weight while having a great time? Focus on a healthy balance of food, activity, and fun. By implementing a few simple tips you can stay healthy through the holiday season.

· Plan time for exercise. Exercise helps relieve holiday stress and prevent weight gain. A moderate and daily increase in exercise can help partially offset increased holiday eating.

· Don’t skip meals. Skipping meals could tempt you to over-indulge.

· Survey party buffets before filling your plate. Choose your favorite foods and skip your least favorite. Include vegetables and fruits to keep your plate balanced.

· Eat until you are satisfied, not stuffed. Savor your favorite holiday treats while eating small portions. Sit down, get comfortable, and enjoy.

· Be careful with beverages. Alcohol can lessen inhibitions and induce overeating. Non-alcoholic beverages can also be full of calories plus sugar.

· If you overeat at one meal, go light on the next. It takes 500 calories per day above your normal caloric consumption to gain one pound (or 3,500 calories per week).

· Bring your own healthy dish to a holiday gathering so that you know there is at least one healthy option for you to choose from.

· Take the focus off food. Enjoy being around your family and friends. Turn candy and cookie making time into non-edible projects like making wreaths, dough art decorations or a gingerbread house. Plan group activities with family and friends that aren’t all about food. Try serving a holiday meal to the community, playing games, or going on a walking tour of decorated homes.

I hope you enjoy the holiday season and feel great while doing it!

Links to Helpful, Healthy Holiday Tips:

Healthy Holiday Eating focusing on Thanksgiving - http://www.healthcastle.com/holiday-eating-healthy-thanksgiving.shtml#undefined

Simple Ways to Cut Sugar, Calories, Sodium, and Fat - http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/healthy-holiday-eating/MY01046

Healthy Holiday Food and Diet Tips - http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/holiday-foods-diet?page=2

Healthy Holiday Eating Strategies - http://www.realsimple.com/health/nutrition-diet/healthy-eating/eat-healthy-during-holidays-10000001683797/index.html

Helpful Eating Tips for Holiday Travelers - http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/26/health/healthy-eating-traveling-holidays/index.html