Tips for Maintianing Your Health Through the Holidays

Thankfully, these days most people actually have a healthy lifestyle; and with that they carefully consider what they put on the table for their friends and family to eat during the holidays. In my opinion, people put more emphasis on talking and visiting with their friends and relatives than preparing a huge amount of fatty foods to consume. Nowadays, health and wellness is seen as a lifestyle as opposed to fad diets. I believe as a society we have come to understand that eating healthy foods and physical exercise are essential components of a good quality and enjoyable lifestyle.

That said, I do admit that during the holiday season we as a society like to make and give those little extra treats such as candy, cookies, cakes and pies. This is where we can start to lose control of our healthy diets and in the process the sweets are so good that before you know it you've eaten the entire tray of fudge! We pay for that action later on that evening as well, don't we? Clearly one tip here would be to allow yourself a small amount of candy, cookies, cakes or pies as an integral part of your healthy lifestyle. All of the doctors that I've been to throughout my life and breast cancer battle have said that moderation is the key. Instead of eating that whole tray of creamy fudge at one sitting, teach yourself to have one piece and stop eating. That way you can enjoy the fudge and still maintain control of your healthy lifestyle. This same concept applies if someone gives you a large chocolate bar, eat one square of chocolate and put the rest up for another time. These are healthy lifestyle skills you have to teach yourself and practice throughout your life. Don't just decide to try to moderate yourself when the holiday season hits; I promise you that approach won't work!

The same concepts apply when you know you are going to a large holiday meal. The foods that you find in the meal are not necessarily detrimental to your healthy lifestyle in and of themselves; however, it is the quantity of those foods of which you consume. Do you really want that second helping of stuffing or mashed potatoes with gravy, or would you rather engage in conversation with your friends and relatives? In addition, if you do know in advance that you are going to a large meal with all of the trimmings; drink at least eight to sixteen ounces of water before you go and have water with your meal. You will be replenishing yourself in a healthy way and you will feel full much faster which will help you with your portion control.

Hopefully, if you don't practice leading a healthy lifestyle at this point in your life, you will start trying to pick healthier, raw fruits and vegetables to consume, drink more water, and control your portion size and eat in moderation after you read this article. Remember, it's not necessarily WHAT you eat, it's HOW MUCH of it you consume in one sitting! Healthful wishes for your holiday season!