10 tips to stay slim and healthy during the holidays

Keep biscuits at bay- Eating biscuits made from scratch is usually filled with lots of butter and milk. Try eating a healthier option like cornbread.

Stay green- Eating a healthy dinner that includes greens of kale, spinach, collard greens is a great way to include an excellent source of fiber which helps to remove the unwanted toxics that can accumulate during the holiday eating season.

Trim the meat- Try other options like fish or a healthy vegetable stew. Red meat is loaded with extra fat that will pack on the extra pounds during the holidays.

Stay free from butter- Forget about adding the extra saturated fat in your butter selection. Keep free from the butter.

Cauliflower option- We all love mashed potatoes but do we need the extra starch and carbohydrates that can accompany a plate of mashed potatoes. Instead try cauliflower which is a cruciferous vegetable that is nutrient dense without the extra calories.

Beware of the extra salt- keep your portion small to avoid the extra bloated belly that is often seen when increasing your intake.

Watch the stuffing- Use turkey sausage instead of regular sausage. Season with onions and mushrooms for added natural flavor.

Say “NO” to whipped cream- Whipped cream is loaded with empty calories, sugar, and preservatives that will surely pack on the extra unwanted pounds.

Everything in moderation- You can enjoy your holiday by keeping it simple. Don’t over-indulge and keep everything in moderation. Trying a little bit here and there goes a long way.

Take a walk- Be sure to take a brisk walk after your holiday treat. Keeping active will help the body to metabolize the calories which prevents them from turning into fat.

The bottom line is to enjoy your holiday time with family and friends by making conscious choices for your health. You can do it!

Simple Steps To Improve Food Choices

There are many small ways that you can change your eating habits so that you eat healthier foods. Consider these tips when choosing or preparing your foods.

At home

• Fry foods with a little bit of olive oil rather than butter, margarine, or lots of vegetable oil.
• Use canola oil when baking.
• Prepare fish such as salmon or mackerel twice a week.
• Sprinkle slivered nuts or sunflower seeds on your salads instead of bacon bits.
• Eat Canadian bacon or lean ham instead of bacon.
• Try low-fat frozen yogurt instead of regular ice cream.
• Eat broiled, baked, roasted, or grilled chicken without the skin instead of fried chicken.
• Add lettuce, tomato, and other vegetables, rather than cheese, to your sandwiches.
• Eat extra lean ground beef (5% fat) instead of regular ground beef (25% fat).
• Try whole-wheat tortillas instead of regular flour tortillas.
• Try whole-wheat or multigrain bread instead of white bread.
• Try low-fat, low-sodium crackers instead of regular crackers.
• Eat water-packed rather than oil-packed tuna.
• Use mustard, catsup, or low-fat mayonnaise on your sandwiches instead of regular mayonnaise.
• Try making sandwiches with 95% to 97% fat-free lunch meats.
• Use lemon juice, herb vinegar, or reduced-calorie salad dressings on your salads.
• Choose nonhydrogenated peanut butter. You can tell that it's nonhydrogenated if there's some oil on top of the peanut butter. Hydrogenated peanut butter is all solid at room temperature.
• Eat lower-fat cookies, such as graham crackers or fig bars.
• Choose canned fruits packed in water rather than syrup.

Eating out

In any restaurant:

• Ask for salad dressing, gravy, or sauce on the side and use sparingly.
• Choose main dishes that are broiled, baked, roasted, or grilled, instead of deep-fried or pan-fried.
• Don't be afraid to make special requests, such as asking that something be cooked with less fat.

When ordering a sandwich:

• Add lettuce and tomato.
• Ask for whole-wheat or rye bread.
• Choose mustard instead of mayonnaise.

At Chinese restaurants:

• Have brown rice instead white rice.
• Order a side dish of steamed broccoli.

At fast food places:

• Order smaller burgers. Skip the cheese and bacon.
• Order a grilled chicken sandwich.
• Order garden or grilled chicken salads with low-fat dressings.
• Choose water or low-fat milk instead of regular soda.

At pizza places:

• Ask for vegetable toppings, such as mushrooms or peppers, rather than meat toppings.
• Get whole-wheat crust.
• Request half the cheese.
• Eat a salad with low-fat dressing in place of a slice of pizza.