Heart&Stroke Health Check^TM Program

The holidays are a fulfilling time.  We get our fill of relatives, presents, holiday cheer and food.  It is the season when indulgence is given a free pass. It is also when some relatives may cause you to drink copious amounts of eggnog.

With blizzard outside, a cookie and a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows and whipped cream by the fireplace seem mighty tempting. As enticing as it is, however, do keep in mind that whatever you eat and drink during the festive season will not disappear as soon as the snow melts.  Sadly, when it comes to over-indulgence, the amended saying “what happens in December, stays in December,” does not apply.'

Thankfully, there are small adjustments that will keep you and yours healthy during the season. There are plenty of ways of keeping your season cheerful without January regrets.  Go ahead, enjoy the season, but keep healthy behaviours in check.
 
Follow these tips to enjoy the season, while staying healthy: 

• Instead of calorie-loaded specialty drinks, go for Christmas tea. It will warm you up just the same.
• If you plan on having a late dinner, make sure you have a nutritious snack in the afternoon to avoid overeating later.
• To ensure you don’t over-indulge, remember this simple tip: don’t go too long between meals. Going more than four hours without food can cause you to feel irritable and lead to poor choices and over-eating at mealtime.
• Exercise also helps to counteract the nearly inevitable increase in calories! – build a snowman or take the sled for a spin.
• A basket of mandarin oranges or clementines make a lovely seasonal display and a refreshing and healthy snack.
• When entertaining, offer vegetable-based and lower fat appetizers.
• Make lower-calorie or healthier versions of favourite recipes.  Most recipes can be altered slightly to make them healthier, such as by reducing the amount of salt, sugar or fat in your ingredients.    Visit healthcheck.org for recipe ideas.
• If you are serving a buffet, use smaller plates.  Smaller plates can help guests control their portions, and calories! 
• Include more lower calorie, healthier options at the buffet table – vegetables, fruit, whole grain salads
• Savour the flavour of holiday treats.  Sweet treats are everywhere.  Be selective, but don’t always deny yourself –  take a small portion and eat it slowly!

For more healthy eating information visit healthcheck.org and follow us on Twitter @HSFHealthCheck
For more healthy tips and recipes, visit healthcheck.org, or reach into your pocket and download Health Check’s Recipe Helper app.  The free app – available in English or French − can be downloaded at the Apple, Android, and BlackBerry app stores or at www.heartandstroke.ca/mobileapps