Kids Health Notes

Tips for Healthy Holiday Eating

by Grace on December 13th, 2007

Aah… sumptuous feast!

What better time to enjoy great food and lots of desserts than the holidays! But as all dieters know, November to January are the worst months for losing our grip on health. And since obesity is a threat that begins in childhood, keeping a balanced and healthy diet during this time of year should be top priority for the whole family.

Here are some tips on getting your family to eating well AND healthy this season.

1. Follow the Pyramid. Don’t forget to serve and eat a balanced diet. Get more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and less of fats and sugars. Balance your diet over several days. So if you or your kids ate a big piece of chocolate cake last night, serve a great salad the next day. Thing about keeping our (family’s) weight in check, it’s all a balancing act.

2. Pre-feast, don’t fast. Skipping a meal because you’re going to a party later will get your metabolism all whacked. You’ll be so hungry by then you will eat everything in sight. So, before going to the grandparents for a feast, get your family to eat something healthy and protein-packed (like chicken or grilled cheese sandwich) at home. My toddler always seem to lose her appetite around her cousins, because all they want is to just play! And right around dessert is when all the kids get hungry.

3. Limit your drinks. These are - soda, juices, beer or wine. Soda has no nutritional value, and juice drinks are too full of sugar, which can make the kids hyper. Substitute these with cider, flavored water or diet sodas. For us adults, beer and wine are good in moderation for your health and safety’s sake.

4. Go low and free. If you’re preparing the meal yourself, use low-calorie and fat-free ingredients. Use applesauce instead of oil, low-fat or skim milk instead of whole. Serve sugar-free cookies.

5. Get active and creative. Winter exercise is a struggle for many, because it’s too cold and dreary and daylight is short. How do we keep our family burning calories? There are many outdoor winter activities for the whole family that won’t cost a fortune. Make a snowman or have snow-ball tags. Walk the neighborhood or park and look at lights. Be creative.

6. Don’t diet, just watch it. With so many good food during the holidays, you (and your kids) will feel so bad and left out if you get on a diet. So, just maintain your weight and keep eating healthy food. The holidays are a time of celebration, so celebrate how far you and your family have come to staying healthy this year, and maintain what you’ve accomplished so far.

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Tags: health, holiday, eating, diet, food, tips

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POSTED IN: Children's Health, Family and Home, Fitness, Sports and Outdoors, Healthy Habits, Nutrition and Recipes