Healthy Holiday Eating

Although it's startling, many Americans gain five pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year's! Fortunately, with healthy habits in place, you don't have to be one of them. During these months of celebration, food should augment the festivities, not necessarily be the focus. Here are some tips to help keep your health on track this holiday season.

Eat Healthier

• Make your turkey even trimmer by choosing white meat over dark and sticking to skinless. Using homemade cranberry sauce instead of gravy will boost your intake of antioxidants.
• Vegetables are an important part of healthy holiday eating, but make sure they aren't soaked in creamy sauces or butter - baking, roasting or steaming are better options, and spices and herbs offer a healthy dose of additional flavor.
• Stuffing made with dried fruits such as cranberries, raisins and apricots offers additional color, flavor and nutrition; and cooking the item in a casserole dish instead of inside poultry will help reduce fat.

Eat Smarter

• When facing the hectic holidays, pre-planning snacks and meals is of utmost importance. To avoid indulging in high-fat food court samples or office party hors d'oeuvres, store healthy snacks in your purse, car and office cubicle/desk. At the beginning of each week, look at your schedule to plan meals and snacks that fit within your time and location restraints.
• Along the same lines, decide how much food you want to eat and what items are worth the splurge before attending celebrations. Making up your mind before faced with temptation will help you cut unnecessary fat and calories from your diet. As an added safeguard, bring a healthy dish to share, so you know you'll have at least one healthy option. Fresh-cut fruits and veggies are always welcomed at parties.
• Watch your alcohol intake. Festive beverages pack a caloric punch, and they can also impair your judgment, leading to overeating and overdrinking. Before attending parties or other events with alcohol, make sure to eat a healthy snack that will help offset the effects of alcohol, and try to drink one glass of water before each glass/portion of alcohol.

Transition Traditions

The holiday season celebrates family and friends, so transition traditions to focus on being together instead of eating together. Some ideas to try:

• Make an annual scrapbook with your children, spouse or friends.
• Create your own holiday decorations: paper snowflakes, clay dreidels, paper garland, gingerbread houses, and makeshift menorahs are all fun, kid-friendly crafts.
• Bond over physically active activities such as ice skating, caroling, snowman making and walking holiday light tours.