Enjoy Healthy Holiday parties

By Celia Jackson

Nutrition Educator

The holiday season is here, and with the holiday season comes the joyful holiday parties.  If you are like many people, you will attend a holiday party or two during the months of November and December where the menus at these parties ordinarily will not include the most figure-friendly foods.  So here are some tips to enjoying the party without throwing your healthy diet out the window:

• Go easy on the alcoholic drinks. Remember alcoholic beverages provide calories.
• Eat a snack or a salad before attending the party, this will curb your appetite.
• Remember your portion sizes.
• Try only one dessert, if several choices are available.
• Avoid overeating by doing activities such as socializing and dancing.

 Keeping these simple and easy tips in mind will help you to enjoy your holiday parties without regret.  Remember to keep up with your exercise routine during the holiday season.  

To avoid a break in your routine, plan ahead.  Develop a workout plan specifically for the holiday season and avoid making excuses for not exercising.  

When developing a workout plan consider your family’s holiday arrangements. Try to make adjustments to your workout plan to accommodate these arrangements. 

Use this time to experiment with new activities, such as dancing, Pilates, yoga, jump roping, or mall walking.  Invest in some dumbbells and a stash of fitness DVDs to create a at home gym.    

You can also exercise throughout the day.  Try exercising for 15-minute intervals at least 2-4 times throughout the day.  Also, don’t count out the family! Build your exercise routine around family time.  Exercise as a family. This allows you to spend time with your family while becoming physically fit and showing your children model behavior.  Remember, some physical activity is better than none. Continue to motivate yourself by thinking of all the benefits you will enjoy from exercising on a regular basis.

For more tips, contact  Celia Jackson, MPA, LDN, RD, FF-NEWS Nutrition Educator, East Baton Rouge and East Feliciana parishes, (225) 389-3055 or celia_jackson@suagcenter.com