Eat Wise This Holiday Season

As Christmas and New Years are right around the corner, tis the season of spending time with loved ones and attending festivities. At different celebrations delicious, foods become easily available and temptations are all around as we socialize, party, travel, etc. that influences and disrupts our daily routines. This disruption doesn't just last for a couple of days, for some people it can carry out for weeks! So how do I stick to my routine when everyone is indulging? Below are five ways that can help you to stay on track and eat wiser:

1. Create a Holiday Eating Plan: If you are hosting for the holidays try to add more healthy dishes to your table so you eat healthy and still maintain a balance in your diet. However, if you're visiting over the holidays you may not have control of what food you are being served and you'll see many folks eating all the tempted treats and goodies available. Many people forget you do not have to eat everything you see in sight, but you have control to portion your food and pace yourself to eat in a proper moderation. Here are a few tips to face the challenges of holiday eating:

• If your invited to a party try bringing your own healthy food along to share with family, friends and peers.

• Try eating food close to your usual time of eating as you are keeping your blood sugar steady. If your food is being served at a later time than what you eat, try eating a small nutritious snack at your usual mealtime and eat less when dinner is served.

• If your having desserts and treats try to cut back on other carbs (i.e. bread, potatoes, stuffing) during your meal time.

• Never skip meals to save for a feast. It's harder for your body to manage your blood sugar and you are likely to overeat which can cause your body to store the unused energy as fat, especially if your not active.

• If you indulge in some unhealthy foods, that's all right just get back on track with eating something healthy in your next meal.

2. A Buffet, No Problem:

Over the holidays, you'll see large quantities and varieties of foods spread out on the table. Here are ways you can make healthier choices when you're surrounded by a buffet of mouth-watering foods:

• Start with eating vegetables and fruits to better control your hunger.

• Have a small portion of your favourite foods and then move away from the buffet table.

• Be sure to eat slowly as it takes time (roughly 20-25 minutes) for your brain to register you are full.

• Avoid or limit alcohol consumption. If you do decide to drink pair it with your food.

By planning ahead, you're better at managing your diet. Be sure to check in with your doctor to adjust the amounts of any medications you may need to take when eating food over the holiday season.

3. Special Foods:

Over the holidays, eat healthy but don't shy away from not eating dishes you love and can't eat any other time of the year. You can eat those special desserts or family secret recipes, just be sure to slow down and savour small servings of the food to make sure your sticking with your meal plan. If you plan in advance the food your going to eat, then your better prepared in knowing what you need to cut back on and will have to work on killing at the gym or in your fitness routines.

4. Get Active:

Be sure to get your body moving over the holidays by engaging in sports and activities to keep your heart rate up. You can get friends, family and peers involved to accompany you on walks, activities, etc. and this way you help them get active too. Being in a rush over the holidays and juggling many different tasks can block you from getting your own physical activity need in your day. If you spend time and focus on being active it can help you make up for overindulging in food. Exercising will reduce your stress, improve your mood, give you energy and even increase your heart rate to ameliorate your own state of health.

5. Go To Sleep:

Going out, planning, staying up late when partying all makes you tired in the end and pushing your limits often means being sleep deprived. Having very little sleep can make it harder to manage your blood sugar, it'll make you want to eat more high sugar and fat foods. The best thing to do is to go to sleep aim for 7 to 8 hours per night to prevent overeating.

The above tips should help you to eat healthier this holiday season. Always remember to celebrate the holidays with close family and friends as that is what the holiday season is all about. By focusing on having fun and socializing with others it should make the food a less focal point on your mind.