Healthy Eating: How To Stay On Track During the Holidays
For many the word diet conjures up images of an exhausting, daunting chore. This reaction often has us brushing aside the importance of eating healthy and opting for unhealthy food choices. Convenience and cheap, time-saving meals are at our disposal, sometimes literally on every corner. In fact, it is sometimes harder to seek out healthier choices this time of year.
Most of us find ourselves in mall food courts while shopping or highway rest stops while traveling. But, healthy eating can also be portable and convenient. I consider an apple fast food, as all I have to do is rinse and it is ready to be served. A banana is also “lickity split” quick as the perfect, peel and eat sweet treat!
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention echoes my suggestions to not think about being deprived when changing to a healthy eating plan but rather, “eat healthfully and enjoy it.” Their website states, “A healthy eating plan that helps you manage your weight includes a variety of foods you may not have considered.”
The CDC mentioned not to be bored by the same old fruit and vegetables, in other words, you do not have to stick to my apple and banana suggestions, but rather try a variety of exotic fruits. Veggies can also be portable with carrot and celery sticks as a healthy choice. When cooking and preparing your veggies at home, you may also want to try low-calorie spices when adding flavor instead of drowning them in butter and cheesy sauces.
The CDC says that eating healthy does not mean having to give up your “comfort foods” completely. “If you normally eat these foods every day, cut back to once a week or once a month. You'll be cutting your calories because you're not having the food as often."
The United States Department of Agriculture agrees, saying that balance is key and to, “enjoy your food, but eat less as well as avoid oversized portions.
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
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