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HEALTHY EATING
Eating healthy through the holidays Chef Eric Rose, Certified Health Coach
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re you mentally preparing for the holidays and thinking about your New Year’s health resolution? Why wait until the new year when you can eat sensibly now and still enjoy the holidays while creating momentum in your health? Many people throw in the towel on their health from Halloween to the New Year, creating a steeper hill to climb. As a health coach I challenge you to modify your mindset. You can still enjoy the holidays without giving up on healthy eating. On average the holiday meals make up just over 3 percent (five meals) of the meals left this season (160 meals). Why would you throw away the other 97 percent of the opportunities to improve your health and create momentum moving into the new year? Consider this: 32 Days left until the new year (as of December 1st) 5 Healthy meal choices a day (3 meals & 2 snacks) 160 Meal choices How many holiday meal choices? • Holiday Party? • Christmas/Hanukkah Eve? • Christmas/ Hanukkah? • New Year’s Eve? • New Year’s Day Football? Don't delay or blame 5 meals and give up on 160! DECEM BER 2022
‘Tis the season of holiday joy filled with family, festivities, and lots of tasty foods. Temptations are everywhere this time of year, and parties and travel disrupt our daily routines. It can seem like there is no end in sight. Holiday celebrations are something families, especially children, look forward to year-round. Whether the party is hosted at your house or you’re attending a gathering elsewhere, you’ll want to have a plan to keep yourself and your family healthy. Most people end this celebration season with grand plans: promise to lose weight, work out, save money, get a promotion, and even quit drinking. Whatever the declaration, the essence remains the same—a better person moving forward into the new year. So, if you choose to take my challenge and not wait until the new year with your health goals, here are some helpful tips. GENERAL TIPS: • Let people know your intentions when it comes to eating. Don’t be persuaded into eating or drinking something you don’t really want or need. • Don’t skip meals to save up for a feast. It will be harder to manage your blood sugar, and you’ll be really hungry and more likely to overeat.
HOLI DAY/GIVI N G BACK EDITION