Healthy Holidays

By Jennifer May, M.S., R.D., MS

Parties, shopping, organizing, baking, and other holiday activities make it more challenging to keep up healthy routines. There is good news; you can enjoy a healthy holiday season! Here are some ideas to help you:

Take a deep breath. Open your day with 5-10 minutes of quiet time and/or meditation to get your day off to a relaxed start.

Eat a healthy, well-balanced breakfast. Have a few scrambled egg whites with some whole grain, high-fiber cereal and skim milk, or whip up a fruit smoothie with some low-fat yogurt and top with granola.

Plan ahead! Don’t put off things until the last minute.

Shop early. This way you can avoid the traffic, long lines, and stress that often accompany last minute shopping.

Bring healthy snacks for shopping and other errands. Carry some walnuts, a piece of fruit, or some string cheese, and don’t forget a big container of water. No one wants to shop or run errands when tired, hungry, and dehydrated. Bringing your own snacks can keep you away from the food courts.

Keep an updated to-do list. Adjust it at the end of every day. Prioritize and plan according to your list. This can prevent feeling overwhelmed.

Exercise! When you're running errands, be sure to wear your handy pedometer. Those steps can add up quickly—give those tired feet some credit! Take a walk, jog on your treadmill, or put on some holiday tunes and dance around whenever you get a chance. Remember, even if your exercise routine has changed, it is temporary, and you will get back to your schedule when you can.

Limit your sugar intake! Too much sugar can result in low energy and negatively suppress your immunity. The sugar in 12 ounces of soda can negatively affect immune function by 30% for up to three hours.

Get your rest! Try to get at least 7-8 hours sleep per night and do another 5-10 minutes of relaxation techniques before you get your zzzz’s.

Enjoy yourself and have a very happy, healthy, holiday season!