(StatePoint) The holiday season can be an indulgent one, full of cookies, candies, heavy meals and eggnog. While no one wants to rein in the fun during the merriest time of year, there are simple ways to keep your health on track during this indulgent holiday season.
• Stick to Routines. To the best of your ability during this hectic time of year, attempt to stick to routines that promote wellness. Set a bedtime and honor it. Hit the gym. Meditate. Do whatever it is that keeps you grounded and feeling your best.
• Drink Up. Many people associate dehydration with the warmer months. But in winter weather it can be especially easy to forget to stay well-hydrated, especially when you’re indulging in alcoholic beverages at all those holiday parties.
Remember, water doesn’t need to be the only source of hydration you think about this season. Soups and purees made from hearty winter vegetables, as well as citrus fruits do the trick, too, and their nutritional properties can help keep you healthy in winter.
• Keep Things Organically Sweet. Staying on track doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the sweetness of the season. Instantly boost the flavor of your favorite meals with organic honey. One great option is Organic Honey In The Raw. USDA Organic Certified and Non-GMO Project Verified, it’s made from pure nectar collected from exotic wildflowers found in the remote Caatinga region of northeast Brazil. The hand-harvested, sustainable honey is raw (never heated above 117 degrees) and unfiltered, so it retains the benefits of bee pollen.
And just one tablespoon of organic raw honey provides the right amount of sweetness and flavor for any dish or drink, including year-round staples like oatmeal, yogurt, tea, and more. You can also consider giving a honey makeover to all your favorite holiday recipes, including glazes and sauces for meat and poultry, cocktail recipes, and of course baked treats.
• Make Substitutions. Other healthful substitutions you can make this holiday season include topping pies with Greek yogurt instead of cream, using apple sauce in place of oil and nut flour instead of white flour in baking, and serving vegetable mash as an alternative to mashed potatoes.
• Be Mindful. The holiday party circuit can be dangerous when it comes to making nutritious choices. When you enter a party with a buffet set-up, it can be tempting to reach for the richest foods first. Before indulging in the canapes and Swedish meatballs, try filling up a plate with crudité first. While you’re doing so, get a good look at all the options available. This way, you’ll be more likely to savor choice items you’ll truly enjoy.
A joyful holiday season doesn’t mean you must pack on pounds or feel under the weather. By keeping your health on track throughout this indulgent time of year, you can start 2019 with your best food forward.
Photo Credit: (c) Mikhail Malyugin / stock.Adobe.com
