Eating healthy and staying active during the holiday season can be a challenge, especially with all the delicious treats and comforting meals that come around this time of year. But it is possible to maintain a healthy lifestyle and still enjoy the holidays. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips for eating healthy and staying active during the holiday season.
1. Eat High Fiber Meals
Fiber keeps our guts happy and healthy while filling us full. At Christmas, there may be a lot of high-sugar, low-fiber foods available, so it's crucial to eat high-fiber foods at every meal and snack. Eat a variety of foods high in fiber throughout the day, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains like quinoa, oats, and brown rice. Colorful, non-starchy vegetables including leafy greens, carrots, broccoli, beans, tomatoes, and capsicum should make about half of your plate.
2. Try to Avoid Getting Hungry
If you are going out for Christmas lunch or dinner, you may have a tendency to eat less food during the day in order to avoid overindulging. If you allow yourself to become overly hungry, this can make it more difficult for you to control how much food you eat.
Eat more frequently and choose for lighter fare or fewer portions. Simple meals to have before or after a Christmas lunch or dinner include:
- a salad that includes grilled chicken or tuna
- an avocado and spinach on toast with an egg
- Fruit, oats, and natural yoghurt
- Natural yoghurt and almonds in a fruit salad.
Try these nutritious snack options if you don't feel like eating a meal, like:
- Fresh fruit
- vegetable pieces with hummus
- a number of seeds and nuts
- organic yoghurt
- Tomato on whole grain bread.
3. Keep Your Food Safe
Nobody thinks that being sick after Christmas festivities is a nice holiday.
The risk rises throughout the summer due to the fact that germs that cause illness develop more quickly in warm climates. You should adhere to the three "Cs" to prevent getting sick or infecting your family.
Clean
- Wash your hands, chopping boards, and any utensils before cooking food.
- To destroy bacteria, wash your hands in hot, soapy water. Ideally, let them air dry rather than using a towel.
Cook
- Make sure the food's juices run clean after it has been cooked, especially when cooking chicken and mince.
- Reheat meals only until it is steaming hot.
Chill
- Separate raw and cooked food in the refrigerator.
- Never leave food unattended on a bench.
- place cooked meat in the refrigerator ASAP
4. Change Up Your Drink Choices
It is entirely up to you whether or not you choose to consume alcohol. If you decide to consume alcohol, maintain your intake within the advised range. Even in those who don't drink much on a regular basis, binge drinking or heavy drinking raises the risk of heart disease.
To lessen your dangers to your long-term health, be sure you are aware of the recommended alcohol intake.
Keep in mind that it is acceptable to choose non-alcoholic beverages at social gatherings; alcohol consumption is not required.
5. Stay Active
For a healthy heart, staying active year-round is crucial.Plan to spend time outside each day. Running around the block or going for a bike ride in the park or at the beach are some examples of this.
Both your physical and emotional wellness are supported by exercise. Even taking a stroll by yourself or with a friend while listening to music or a podcast will help you stay balanced.
6. Prioritize Your Sleep
With holiday parties, children ending up school, work wrapping up for the year, and the families getting together, there is more than enough to handle in December and January. One thing we might sacrifice in order to pack more into the day is sleep.
The body rests, repairs, and recovers while sleeping. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night because insufficient sleep has been related to an increased risk of heart disease.
You may improve the quality of your sleep by eating healthy, getting regular exercise, limiting your alcohol intake, and turning off your screens and devices at least an hour before bed.
7. Enjoy Your Time With Others.
We've learned in recent years how powerful and crucial social connection is. Everyone has had a big couple of years. Everyone needs some downtime to unwind in light of the current uncertainty.
Allow yourself some time to unplug from the news, social media, and other internet stuff so that you may be fully present with those around you. Enjoy your time socializing with your friends and family.
Our health and well-being are enhanced by social contact, which also lowers our risk of developing heart disease.
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