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Top 10 Tips for Healthy Holiday Meals

Each year, folks fill up their plates with heaping helpings of comfort foods during Thanksgiving meals and holiday events. Many health-conscious people dread the temptation of all the buttery, rich, high-calorie dishes, but you don’t have to fear the feasts. As long as you are selective in your choices and moderate with your portion sizes, a modern-day holiday meal can be delicious and nutritious.

Enjoy a Guilt-Free Feast

1. If you are the cook, make dishes healthier by using skim milk in place of whole milk, substituting egg whites for whole eggs, and substituting applesauce for oils in baked goods.

2. Turkey is a wonderfully lean protein, but be sure to choose white breast meat and remove the skin to avoid excess calories.

3. Feel free to fill your plate with colorful vegetables and fresh fruits that have not been coated with fatty sauces.

4. Choose dishes with a lighter marinade or a dusting of exotic herbs, which likely have less fat than the creamy dishes.

5. Vitamin-rich butternut squash, green beans, and sweet potatoes are all nutritious vegetables, but remember to use portion control when they are presented in casseroles.

6. Be selective in your garnishes and dressings. You could ruin a healthy plate by dousing it with fatty sauces, salt, or condiments.

7. Don’t feel obligated to get seconds — even if folks are pushing you to eat more. Politely ask for a to-go container or help the hosts pack leftovers and clean up when the meal is complete.

8. Cut back on alcohol consumption to avoid excess calories. There are 125 calories in a 5-ounce glass of wine – calories that may be better spent on a scoop of something homemade.

9. Think moderation when it comes to dessert. Consider omitting the crust from pie to cut calories.

10. Enjoy a walk outside, a game of touch football, or some other form of physical activity before and after the meal to burn off those extra calories.

Celebratory meals allow us a chance to come together and be grateful for all we have in this world. We hope these tips help you enjoy a healthy and happy holiday season with your family and friends.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Eat, Heal, Travel! Be sure to let us know via Twitter or Facebook how you like to stay healthy during the holidays.