During the holiday season, you may find managing your health to be a difficult obstacle. To help stay healthy and safe this holiday season, I have created tips to allow you to enjoy the holidays while being conscious of your health.
- Wash your hands often with soap and clean water for at least 20 seconds to prevent the spread of germs. Holiday gatherings provide opportunities to come in contact with pathogens and can lead to illness.
- Don’t shop hungry. Eat before you go purchase your holiday meal so the scent of pumpkin pie or peppermint bark doesn’t tempt you to indulge on treats you don’t need.
- Slip on your dancing shoes. Dancing is a fantastic way to burn off holiday calories. If you are at a family gathering, suggest a walk before the feast or even between dinner and dessert.
- Don’t drink your calories! A glass of eggnog can be up to 500 calories. Also, wine, beer, and mixed drinks range from 150 to 225 calories. If you drink alcohol, have a glass of water or juice-flavored seltzer in between drinks.
- Save room for fruits and veggies. During meal time, it is easy to fill your plate quickly with all the turkey your heart desires. However, don’t ignore fruits and vegetables. They make great snacks and can make for a perfect side dish.
- Cook to proper temperature and use a thermometer. Using a thermometer is the only guaranteed way to determine food is safe to eat without the presence of bacteria. Turkeys, stuffing, side dishes, and all leftovers should be cooked to at least 165 degrees and kept above 140 degrees during serving to be sure that any potential bacteria is destroyed.
- Properly defrost your turkey, or buy a fresh one. If you choose a frozen turkey, allocate 24 hours per 5 pounds to defrost in the refrigerator.
- Refrigerate leftovers within two hours of preparation. Leaving food out too long is one of the largest holiday food safety problems. Store leftovers properly with a sealed tight container. Also, make sure the refrigerator is not over-packed and there is plenty of air circulating around the food so it can be properly cooled.
- Take 10 minutes for your initial plate to digest in your stomach. It takes up to ten minutes for your stomach’s full feeling to signal to your brain. After finishing your first helping, take a 10-minute break to allow your stomach to digest. You may realize you are full.
- Avoid drunk driving at ALL costs. If a get together with friends and family involves alcohol, make sure to have a designated driver or utilize a ride share app. Don’t drink and drive during the holidays and intervene if someone who’s been drinking tries to get behind the wheel.
Holiday Healthy Eating 