Healthy Eating Around the Holidays
We get it. Making healthy food choices during the holiday season is TOUGH! Parties galore, cozy movie nights, family celebrations… it’s simply hard to resist those tasty treats.
Illinois CancerCare’s Registered Dietitian, Karen Bevers, RDN, LDN, is happy to share tips for healthy eating as we wrap up the year.
Don’t skip meals
A common approach to eating around the holidays is skipping meals to “save” calories before a big holiday meal. This strategy can backfire and often results in overeating. Make sure to set yourself up for success by starting your day with a high protein breakfast.- Fill up on vegetables
A good rule of thumb is to aim to make half your plate filled with non-starchy vegetables such as asparagus, brussel sprouts, carrots, or salad. These foods are low in calories but high in fiber, so they help keep us fuller for longer.- Bring a healthy dish
Unsure if there will be any healthy dishes at your holiday gathering? Bring your own! Contributing a healthy dish you enjoy ensures you have at least one nutritious option at your holiday meal.- Get back on track
Overeating around the holidays is common. Don’t let one day of overindulging turn into a whole season of undesirable food choices. Try to get back into your healthy habits as soon as possible.
-Karen Bevers, RDN, LDN | Registered Dietitian at Illinois CancerCare
