How to Stay Healthy During the Holidays

Last month I had an blog post published in the Healthy Professor’s Times Union Blog called Don’t Fear the Squash. It’s about the health benefits of squash and some cooking tips. Check it out !

Squash is one of my favorite sides on Thanksgiving. But so is the pie! And this time of year is when it’s tough for many people to keep up with their healthy habits, myself included. It seems like there are cookies and pies everywhere and avoiding them gets harder and harder.

Here are some small tips to make it a little easier to get through the holidays.

Choose healthier sides

One year for thanksgiving I made a healthier version of the classic green bean casserole with fresh green beans. You could also make a green salad and load your plate up with fresh vegetables, along with smaller helpings of the more unhealthy sides. Vegetables provide fiber  that will fill you up, along with important vitamins and minerals.

Don’t drink your calories

 

If you still want to enjoy adult beverages on Thanksgiving, opt for a cocktail made with calorie-free seltzer, rather than a sugary juice or soda. You could also choose a slice of pie over a heavy beer, since you don’t always have pumpkin pie–you can have beer any time of year!

Participate in a Turkey Trot

Many towns have annual Turkey Trots on Thanksgiving morning with many different distances. Getting out and being active is great any day, but even better on a day when you will probably be eating and sitting more than usual. It’s also a fun tradition to start with your family!

Remember, being healthy is a journey–you can still enjoy the pie, but it’s the small things that add up over time that produce results! Nobody is perfect 100% of the time, but small changes can make a difference. I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving!