For many, the Holiday season is synonymous with indulgence (or overindulgence!), which leads to feeling sluggish, poor sleep habits, and weight gain. Coming to the rescue – healthy lifestyle gurus and founders of the Health Coach Institute, Stacey Morgenstern and Carey Peters. After coaching over 8,000 individuals across 27 countries, the duo is sharing their inside secrets for making it through the holidays, healthfully.
Go for it! Pumpkin Seeds – Healthier than the mixed nuts, seeds pack a punch with protein, zinc and antioxidants.
Pass please! Eggnog – A Holiday staple, eggnog is seriously delicious. But it comes with a hefty amount of calories and saturated fat—around 280 calories and 9 grams of fat, to be more precise.
Go for it! Baked Apples – Sprinkled with cinnamon and roasted, these delicious and seasonal treats are a great replacement for the sugar-laden holiday cookies and pies!
Pass please! Dark Meat Turkey with Skin – Basted, often butter-covered, skin on a turkey can taste pretty good, but when it’s covering the already higher in calories dark-meat turkey it can be a less than healthy choice. Try to stick to skinless white meat portions, or at the very least take off the skin, which cuts the calorie count significantly.
Go for it! Holiday “mocktail” – Kick alcohol to the curb (if only for a few nights) and replace with this seasonally appropriate holiday mocktail. Soda water and a splash of pomegranate or cranberry juice with a sprig of mint is refreshing and had a festive hue to get you in the spirit!
Pass please! Fried Foods – This is a no brainer. Avoid anything on the table that has been deep fried. Chicken fingers, coconut shrimp, and other foods that have been dredged in breading and cooked in oil are never going to be good for your heart, body or waistline. If you’re after a little crunch, seek out options that are lightly coated in gluten free breadcrumbs and baked instead.
Go for it! Roasted Root Vegetables – Ditch the mashed potatoes and kick stuffing to the curb. Instead, replace with simply roasted root vegetables that are high in antioxidants and other nutrients. Butternut squash, carrots, and even parsnips are delicious when tossed with a little extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper.
Pass please! Meat Plate – Processed meats have been getting a lot of buzz lately due to their unhealthy and potentially cancer-causing characteristics, add to that the fact that these snacks are often high in salt and fat, and you’ll find more than one reason to stay away!
And remember, should temptation take over, don’t beat yourself up. Start fresh the next morning with new goals in mind, and turn to an expert (like a health coach) if you need a jump start or little extra support.
Yona Williams says
I love roasted root vegetables, especially parsnips. My Dad sometimes makes them for me, but my Mom thinks they are a pain to cook. They taste so good.