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The holidays are about embracing togetherness, traditions, and decadent food and drink. In fact, Holy Name registered dietitian Debbie Bessen encourages her clients to enjoy a few seasonal splurges.
"While we've all heard that moderation is key to enjoying the holidays, it can be difficult to turn down a second slice of pumpkin pie or avoid overindulging on mashed potatoes," Bessen said.
Instead, she recommends looking for ways to strike a balance. Here are her tips for making the holidays a little healthier while still enjoying the flavors of the season:
- Reduce sodium intake by using fresh and frozen vegetables instead of canned, which usually have added salt. If you do use canned vegetables, rinse them to remove some of the sodium.
- Offset more decadent dishes with vegetables, fiber-rich foods like whole grains, and protein-packed options like beans and lentils.
- Limit red meat intake. Choose fish instead of steak to increase your healthy fats and omega-3 fatty acids.
- Reduce or replace added sugars in homemade desserts. Find recipes that use stevia, monk fruit, allulose, applesauce, or honey. You may be surprised to learn you won’t sacrifice flavor and texture with these ingredient swaps.
- Look for desserts and recipes that use fruit, such as fruit compote, sorbet, and apple crisp. They can satisfy your sweet tooth with a bonus of including nutrients in your dessert.
- One plate rule: Fill one plate with a little bit of everything you would like to try, rather than going back for seconds. This way you can enjoy a variety of flavors without overeating.
