The first consideration towards maintaining a thriving balance is to sustain your regular exercise

commitments during the holidays. It is far easier to ease into the holidays with a familiar gym

routine. Burning calories, toning muscles, and beginning an entire new regiment after the

holidays may seem daunting. Regular exercise and fitness should be a part of the holidays, just

as much as family and friends are.

Foods from the holidays are cooked with multitudes of seasoning and scrumptious, deliciously

fattening add-ons. For example, butters, milks, yogurts and sour creams are all regular

ingredients in the kitchen, and can pack on some hefty pounds. Try switching to fat-free or low

calorie versions of these dairy products. Also, substituting starch-laden side dishes for green

side dishes is a great way to provide variety and health conscious meals to your table.

Part of managing healthy food intake during the holidays is psychological. If you don’t want

to switch out grandma’s famous sweet potato pie recipe for a healthier version, that is okay!

Taking a different approach to how you eat food may create a better balance. 

● Socializing and having fun with people during the holidays may keep you away from the

buffet table. Think about what you are celebrating, and not just how great the food is - it

may take your mind out of your stomach.

● Try to plan what you are going to eat when you arrive at holiday events. Check out what

food is available and what you will treat yourself to. You may want to limit the intake of

candy, stuffing, eggnog, sugar-sweetened beverages, alcohol, gravy and pies, as these

hold many calories.

● Maintain your regular schedule of meals during the day of a holiday event. Skipping

meals for the big one is more harmful. Eating several small meals throughout the day

will help regulate your metabolism and your body manage digesting. Also, if you arrive

super hungry you are more likely to overeat.

● Controlling your portions will still allow you to try a little bit of everything without tipping

the scale. Smaller servings and eating slowly enable you to enjoy every bite, as well as

allow the brain to send messages to your stomach that it is growing full.

● Excuse yourself from the table or remove your plate when you are finished eating. If you

linger around food, you may be more tempted to refill.

Celebrating holidays does not always revolve around eating, but also the observance of gift

giving. If you love food, try giving healthier options as gifts. For example, nutrition themed gifts

like a healthy cook book, a subscription to a fitness club or magazine may be great ways to

uphold the spirit of the holidays with a healthier twist.

The holidays don’t have to be an excuse for those pounds to pack on. By maintaining regular

dietary and exercise routines and modifying your awareness of the foods you consume, there is

always room for healthy balance.

With the major American holidays upon us, the average person is packing on their pounds

daily. Family, friends and festivities are part of the socialization and culture of celebration

during the holidays. Food, if nothing more than yummy to eat, defines many aspects of cultural

expression. From turkey to yams, stuffing to macaroni and cheese, it is no wonder why a

popular New Year’s resolution is to get back into the gym.

With an abundance of finger-licking food, managing that holiday “pudge” can seem unthinkable. There are simple ways of guiding your appetite, staying fit and keeping a healthy balance during

the holidays.