Eating After the Holidays – Getting Back on Track

Every year from November to January we torture our bodies with over-eating, exotic food and drink and little exercise.  With Thanksgiving behind us and Christmas & New Years ahead there are some helpful things we can do now or as soon as this season is past that will help each of us to be on the road to  better health.

1. Don’t skip breakfast – studies show that people who eat breakfast are less likely to be overweight or obese.
2. Snack with a purpose – try to avoid snacks of nothing but salty foods or sodas. Some better choice would be crackers with peanut butter, string cheese, veges with a yogurt dip.
3. Pay attention to portion size – everywhere we eat the portions are too big, even at home.  When dining out always bring food home in a to-go box or leave the leftovers. At home, use smaller plates, bowls and cups to help be realistic about portions size.
4. Drink responsibly – this actually has  nothing to do with alcoholic beverages, it is all about caloric intake. Too many of us are drinking sodas all day every day with no regard to the calories they are pouring into our bodies.  When you pick up a cold anything, check the calorie content to be sure you want that amount of calories right  now.
5. Eat more whole foods – eat as may foods with short ingredients list  as possible.  At my house, we eat real butter because it has two ingredients, cream and salt. Eaten in moderation, it is far healthier than any margarine or butter substitute out there.
6. Eat meals at the dinner table – families should sit down and eat meals together as often as possible. As always, studies prove that children who eat with their parents/families three or four times a week have less weight control issues. Even if it is only possible to eat together once per week the benefits are measurable.