Keeping your nutrition goals on track can be challenging over the holidays.
Many things can divert us from our best intentions. Extra social events, tempting
treats, after-work shopping, traveling out of town... all of these holiday
features may interfere with our regular eating habits. This year, follow these
tips and try to eat as well as possible.
Hit the grocery stores. Fill your shelves with nutritious foods that
you know you'll enjoy. Keep fresh fruit and vegetables on hand. During this
hectic season, when many of us start to feel run down, it is important to maintain
a healthy nutrient intake. So stick to quality food at home. Remember, meals
don't have to be complicated to be healthy.
Don't skip meals. And especially not breakfast! Skipping your regular
meals will only make you hungrier later on and more likely to over-indulge in
unhealthy foods (such the hors d'oeuvres at an after-work party, or the "quick
fix" of pizza or fries on the way).
Brown bag it. Ensure you have a nutritious, satisfying lunch: bring
it from home! Try to find a few minutes the night before to pack a good lunch
that will help meet your daily requirements of all four food groups (grain products,
vegetables and fruit, milk products, and meats and alternatives). By organizing
this in advance, you'll avoid a last-minute morning scramble that might substitute
handy snacks for healthy food.
Pace yourself. Holiday treats are often delicious - but not nutritious.
At social events, try to pace yourself when faced with tempting goodies. Seek
out healthier food choices, such as the fresh fruit or veggie tray, and limit
your intake of the "naughtier" items such as fried foods and sweets.