Article
November 18, 2016

Healthy Holiday Eating

Healthy Holiday Eating

The holiday season has arrived!  According to the National Institutes of Health, the additional calories associated with holiday meals can result in an extra pound or two of weight gain every year. Maintaining healthy eating habits from the summer may seem like a challenge during the holiday season but it is possible! With these simple tricks you can enjoy your holiday celebrations guilt free.

  • Plan your meals ahead of time to control that grumbling stomach all day. Start by mapping out the day and when your largest meal will be. If you over eat at a meal, try to make the next meal lighter. Also it is best not to arrive to the party on an empty stomach.
  • Survey the food options before as to not overload the plate with high calorie foods. This will also help with controlling portion sizes.
  • Remember this is a time for family so try and engage in conversation with others while eating more slowly to savor the flavor. It gives your brain more time to realize it is satisfied and delays the urge to overeat.
  • Bring/make a healthy dish so you can spoil yourself on a less calorie dense item. Try to include: fruits, nuts, whole grains, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, and/or limit the amount of salt in the dish. This not only gives back control but will sure be a crowd pleaser at any event.
  • Stay active even though the chilly season may bring out the couch potato in all of us, planning to exercise will burn off those unwanted pounds. Indulge in winter activities like sledding, ice skating, a brisk walk before the sun goes down, or become involved at a community center for a game of basketball.
  • Treat yourself with desserts. Tempting as it is, try a treat or two in small portions instead of a full serving. The line to the dessert table may be a mile long, so cut out the stress by going last. The less options will make choosing healthy alternatives easier. Just limit the amount of toppings.

Recipe:

These Gingerbread applesauce waffles will keep you full all day until it is time to feast.

3 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
4 large eggs
2/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1 1/4 cups low fat milk
1/2 cup molasses
1/2 cup Applesauce, chunky works too!
Lite Syrup, whipped cream or fresh fruits for topping, to pass at table

In a large bowl combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg. In a medium bowl, beat eggs and brown sugar until fluffy, then beat in pumpkin, milk, molasses and applesauce. Stir the wet into dry until just moist. Do not over stir the waffle batter. Brush the iron with a little melted butter and cook 4 waffles, 4 sections each. Serve with toppings of choice.