Eating healthy is one of the most important things we can do for our bodies on holidays. During the holiday season, it’s easy to slip into old customs such as eating unhealthy food, drinking lots of alcohol and not exercising. All these things put added stress on your body. For example, the last thing you need is to have a major accident in the hospital due to poor food choices or not exercising enough. If you want to enjoy your holiday without putting your life at risk then you need to make some changes in your diet. I’m going to give you a few tips on how to eat healthy this holiday season.
Points To Take Not Of
Avoid any turkey, ham and mashed potatoes! These are three holiday staples that contain large amounts of unhealthy fat, calories and salt. Instead, try serving salads with low-fat dressing, baked potato with low-calorie butter, roasted chicken with organic fat-free dressing and tuna with a low-calorie dressing.
In addition, avoid any kind of turkey, ham or mashed potatoes that has been deep-fried. You know what I’m talking about. Most of these foods are loaded with calories and fats. They’re also loaded with Trans fats which have been proven to clog arteries and raise bad cholesterol levels. Replacing them with something healthier like lean turkey, brown rice or pasta will help you lose weight while still enjoying your thanksgiving dinner.
Other Fatty Foods To Avoid
Another turkey lover’s favourite that shouldn’t be eaten on thanksgiving is gravy. Most people don’t realize how much calories and fat gravy adds to any meal. This year, replace the traditional gravy with a low-calorie option like sour cream, yogurt and cheese. You’ll also find thanksgiving recipes that include skim milk or no-sugar-added sugar. These substitutes will help you cut back on those added calories without compromising the taste.
Finally, don’t forget the turkey bread or sandwich. While these holiday food favourites can be a delicious treat when leftovers are the only choice, they can also pack a surprising amount of calories and fats. Thanksgiving turkey sandwiches typically contain 3 cups of turkey meat which contains more than 180 calories and just two grams of added sodium. For a change, substitute turkey bread with wheat bread which will not only be lower in calories and fat but it will also keep you from consuming that unwanted thanksgiving turkey bread.
A big part of any good diet is eating natural, whole foods. Many thanksgiving menu choices leave you to choose between processed or fresh foods. While both options are healthy, there are advantages and disadvantages to both. Processed foods tend to be higher in calories and less nutritious than their fresh counterparts. Choosing to make the transition to more healthy alternatives will help you lose weight and keep your heart healthy.
Final Points
Overall, to conclude it is clear that in order to actively maintain a healthy diet, its important that you avoid or at the very least regulate your intake of certain foods. Doing this is amongst the best ways through which you can ensure you maintain good health and fitness levels well into your later years.