{"id":15432,"date":"2021-12-02T13:56:58","date_gmt":"2021-12-02T18:56:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/caloriecontrol.org\/5-steps-to-staying-healthy-this-holiday-season-2\/"},"modified":"2022-02-07T15:20:01","modified_gmt":"2022-02-07T20:20:01","slug":"5-steps-to-staying-healthy-this-holiday-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/caloriecontrol.org\/5-steps-to-staying-healthy-this-holiday-season\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Steps to Staying Healthy This Holiday Season"},"content":{"rendered":"
Yikes! The holidays are here!<\/p>\n
According to a new study, Americans typically gain a small amount of weight around Thanksgiving and then a bit more around Christmas.i<\/sup> The researchers estimate that it takes about 5 months to lose those holiday pounds. Rather than starting the New Year with a resolution, this year resolve to eat and live healthfully throughout the holidays to start the year without extra pounds. Get started with these five steps to avoiding holiday weight gain.<\/p>\n It goes without saying that holidays and holiday parties aren\u2019t all about the food. The season is full of a variety of parties. Some are more social gatherings where it can be easier to mingle while avoiding overeating. Others means sitting in the kitchen or by the buffet table where it can be hard to ignore the wonderful wafting smells. Make an extra effort to reduce the amount you eat and drink and focus more on the conversation and the festivities. Donate your time to help someone less fortunate also enjoy the holidays. Even baking cookies takes on new meaning when you deliver those cookies and a basket of fruit to a homeless shelter.<\/p>\n Of course, food really does matter. But be choosy and indulge only in those foods that have special meaning and taste fabulous. If it isn\u2019t awesome, there\u2019s no good reason to eat indulgent foods. If you love holiday pies, enjoy some. But skip the brownies, cheesecake and other treats that don\u2019t scream delicious and holiday to you. And just because you\u2019ve always had holiday cookies or candies sitting out, doesn\u2019t mean that you need to continue that tradition. Find another way to add to the festive atmosphere.<\/p>\n Portion control may be your most important strategy. Nearly any food can fit if your portion is small enough. Use small plates. Avoid second helpings. Prepare mini muffins and small cookies, and bake starchy casseroles in muffin tins or individual ramekins.<\/p>\n You have lots of control over your food when you\u2019re in charge of the cooking. For example, by swapping out part of the sugar in pumpkin bread for sucralose or another sugar substitute and trading cream for milk in pies, you save lots of calories, added sugars and saturated fats. Below are other ideas for healthy swaps. With a little thought, you\u2019ll find lots of ways to keep the taste and the feel of the holiday without hurting your health.<\/p>\nFocus on the meaning of the season.<\/h2>\n
Be choosy.<\/h2>\n
Think small.<\/h2>\n
Make substitutions.<\/h2>\n