It's that time of year again: Your datebook bulges with party invitations, your exercise routine goes out the window, and everywhere you look you find decadent treats filled with fat and calories. Can you really maintain a healthy lifestyle during the holidays? Yes! The key to surviving—and enjoying—this hectic month is balance.
Balanced Eating and Beyond
Eating a balanced diet ensures you'll have a steady stream of energy. It aids in stress management, combats mood swings, and helps you avoid weight gain—all benefits you need when schedules are disrupted and temptation lurks around every corner.The USDA's MyPyramid offers a good guide to balanced eating. The colored bands on the pyramid represent the six major food groups—grains, vegetables, fruits, oils, milk, and meat and beans. Every meal should contain some of each group. That's tough to achieve when you're party-hopping, dodging a treat-filled break room at work, and attending dinners with rich fare on the menu.
How can you make sure your nutrition stays balanced this holiday season? Try these tips.
Plan Ahead: Make the most of the times when you can enjoy a meal at home. Instead of deciding what to eat when dinnertime rolls around, create a meal plan and stock your pantry accordingly. No time to cook? Flavorful, nutrient-packed Healthy Choice® soups are perfect for cold winter evenings. Warm up a can of Split Pea & Ham or Zesty Gumbo. Serve with crusty bread and a glass of milk, and you've got the food groups covered.
Go for Variety: Try to serve at least four different foods at every meal. Include a variety of flavors, textures, colors, and aromas to please your senses and ensure you're getting as many nutrients as possible. Healthy Choice meals offer variety and convenience, from Simple Selections entrees with a full serving of colorful vegetables to Complete Selections meals, which include a delicious dessert.
Don't Shun Snacks: A healthy snack can help you get the nutrients you miss when you're forced to make a meal out of what's on the hors d'oeuvres tray. Healthy Choice soups in single-serving microwavable bowls are a perfect way to catch up. Enjoy a soothing bowl of Beef Pot Roast soup, and get a full serving of vegetables. The snack will fill you up, so you'll be less likely to overindulge at the next soiree on your schedule.
Look at the Long Run: Don't beat yourself up if you go a day or two without a perfectly balanced meal. Strive to balance your nutrients, calories, and fat intake over several days. If you eat a lot of richer foods one day, try for something lighter the next. Policing yourself too strictly sets you up for failure because it takes the fun out of eating. The holidays—and the foods that come with them—are meant to be enjoyed.
Strive for a Broader Balance: Nutrition is just one element of a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Instead of focusing too much on what you eat this holiday season, balance healthy eating with physical activity and fun. Get your family outdoors for a game of football or a snowman-making competition. Take a break from gift shopping and go for a brisk walk around the mall. Cherish the time you spend with friends and loved ones. The holidays may be hectic, but they only come once a year.
