Poll

Holiday Eating

Tara Stark
By Tara Stark
December 13th, 2010

For many people holiday eating can be a source of stress. We love the season’s goodies, and yet we feel guilty about indulging; concerned about health repercussions of eating rich foods and the possibility of gaining weight.

Feasting and enjoying seasonal foods adds richness to our holiday experience, give us a sense of tradition and strengthens our connections with our families and our friends. We should be able to enjoy holiday eating in balance and moderation without damaging our sense of self worth. Here are some ideas to help you enjoy the richness that the holiday season has to offer and feel good while you do it.

Start by reflecting on which holiday foods are important to you, who you enjoy them with and on which occasions they are really special. Plan to include these foods and people in your celebrations and give yourself permission to enjoy them.

Remember that both adults and children are likely to eat what is easily available and accessible. Save holiday baking for special occasions or entertaining. Make small batches or store baked goods in the freezer. You can pull out small amounts of baking when you want it. You will be more likely to really enjoy it this way and you will be less likely to eat it mindlessly.

Keep plenty of fresh fruit on hand to add to dessert trays. Thinly sliced pears or apples can be cut into festive shapes with cookie cutters. Serve mandarin oranges peeled and sliced down the middle to expose their brightly coloured pulp. Try adding pomegranate quarters to fruit trays; children love them.

Dress down traditional high fat platters such as cheese plates by adding fresh or pickled veggies and homemade dips such as a bean dip, salsa or antipasto. Use assorted red, green and white veggies to create colourful holiday platters. Try offering veggie pate instead of traditional liver pate, and smoked salmon instead of sausage.

If you worry about your kids gorging on holiday treats, keep in mind that kids who are not hungry are much less likely to eat too many sweets. Though holidays are busy times, keep meals and snacks scheduled at regular times and offer nutritious foods to children. Try not to be too restrictive, as kids deprived of all treats will crave them and learn to overeat when they are available.

Start some new activity traditions this holiday season. Go for a moonlight walk or have a family skating or ski day. Get out and build a snowman or a snow fort. Have a game of ball hockey in the street or set up targets in the yard and have a snowball throwing contest. Give gifts that can be fun for the whole family such as a toboggan or a set of crazy carpets.

This year let yourself truly enjoy all the season has to offer. Infuse your traditional holiday treats with nutritious foods and a healthy dose of activity and feel good about your balanced approach to life’s celebrations.

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