The holiday months bring a lot of joy, and feasts with family and friends are a big part of that. If you’re tempted to overindulge in food and drink, having the right attitude can help you stay mindful and enjoy meals in a healthy way.
“It’s not about indulging or depriving yourself,” says UHS Nutrition and Health coordinator Laura Sienkiewicz, MS. “The key is to not splurge through all the holiday months, and instead pick and choose when to keep your routine and strike a healthy balance.” Here are a few tips from Ms. Sienkiewicz that will help you this holiday season:
1. Don’t arrive hungry.
Ms. Sienkiewicz recommends keeping normalcy in your eating as best you can so you’re not so hungry when you arrive that you overeat rich foods.
2. Slow down and drink water.
It sounds simple, but slowing down while you eat helps you realize when you’re full so you can avoid overeating. Drinking water while you eat also helps you feel full.
3. Try healthier versions of your favorite recipes.
There are many ways you can make your holiday favorites a little healthier. Try replacing butter or oil in baked goods with Greek yogurt or apple sauce, for example. Visit stayhealthyuhs.org for Ms. Sienkiewicz’s healthy butternut squash soup recipe!
4. Pay attention to your plate.
Fill your plate with fiber-rich, nutrient-dense foods such as fruits and vegetables. “I always say, make sure your plate it half-full of vegetables,” says Ms. Sienkiewicz. “If you want to splurge on desserts, cut back a little on other carbs you might not be as excited to eat.”
Butternut Squash Soup Recipe
Roasting a butternut squash and making soup is a tradition for many families during the holidays. Some recipes call for a rich soup that includes heavy cream or other ingredients that increase the calorie count. This year, try this healthy version of the holiday favorite—brought to you by UHS Nutrition and Health coordinator Laura Sienkiewicz, MS—as a nice change of pace. It still packs in all of the layered flavor you expect from butternut squash soup while replacing the cream with skim milk and a small amount of butter. Enjoy it today! Get the full recipe online at stayhealthyuhs.org.
