Healthy Habits During the Holiday Season
The holiday season is back and busier than ever! Amidst the holiday work socials, indulgent feasts with friends and family, and the ticking clock, finding time for your well-being can be a challenge. Follow some of our health tips and tricks below to help you uphold your healthy habits throughout the joyous holiday season.
Enjoy your seasonal favorites
As you navigate the holiday season with a healthy mindset, remember to savor those delicious seasonal treats you adore. It’s okay to treat yourself to your favorites—after all, some of our favorite treats are only around this time of the year. So, slow down, enjoy the festive vibes, and indulge in that special holiday delight.
Pack a healthy snack
During the holiday season hustle, individuals often find themselves stretched thin, leading to skipped or missed meals. Consequently, there’s a higher likelihood of overeating at your subsequent meal. Rather than skipping a meal, consider packing a satisfying snack to curb your appetite, such as yogurt, peanut butter, banana, or string cheese.
Don’t be too hard on yourself
1. Should you find yourself overindulging, avoid self-punishment! Instead, opt for a more nutritionally valuable meal at your next opportunity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests three tips to enhance healthy eating habits: reflect, replace, and reinforce. (2)
• Reflect – review both positive and negative eating habits from the day.
• Replace – gradually phase out unhealthy eating habits and substitute them with new, healthier choices.
• Reinforce – acknowledge and reward yourself for the positive and healthy choices you’ve made throughout the day.
Make time for movement
While the holiday season may be hectic, prioritize staying physically active. The CDC advises that the average adult engage in 150 minutes of aerobic activity and incorporate at least two days of muscle-strengthening activities. (3) If you’re pressed for time, consider parking farther from the mall, taking additional laps around the store, or scheduling workout sessions with friends or family to meet these recommendations.
Have a colorful plate
Keep in mind to add a burst of color to your plate while dining. As per MyPlate guidelines, allocate half of your plate to fruits and vegetables, dedicate one-quarter to whole grains, and reserve another quarter for protein. (1) If you’re attending a holiday gathering, consider contributing a nutritious option. Infuse creativity into your dish by experimenting with a new and flavorful recipe—perhaps try the two featured recipes: baked acorn squash with apples or wholesome carrot cake cookies.
Guac ‘n’ Around the Christmas Tree
Ingredients
2 tubes (8 ounces each) refrigerated seamless crescent
1 teaspoon of taco seasoning, divided
20 pretzel sticks, broken in half
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup guacamole
2 medium sweet yellow peppers
1 medium sweet red pepper
1 medium green pepper
Chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
1. On an ungreased baking sheet, unroll one tube of crescent dough and press into a 13×8-in. rectangle. Prick with a fork; sprinkle with 3/4 teaspoon taco seasoning. Repeat with remaining dough and seasoning. Bake according to the packaging
2. Cut each rectangle crosswise to make 4 strips (about 8×4-in.).
3. For trees, cut each strip into 5 triangles, reserving scraps at each end for another use.
4. Beat cream cheese and guacamole until smooth; spread over trees. Halve and seed peppers.
5. Dice and julienne remaining peppers for tree decorations. Decorate trees with pepper pieces and, if desired, cilantro. Refrigerate until serving.
Cheese Ball Ornament Delight
Ingredients
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 garlic cloves, minced
2/3 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
2/3 cup dried cranberries
1 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, Gorgonzola cheese, and garlic until blended.
2. Stir in cranberries, and shape into a ball.
3. Once in a ball, roll in walnuts to coat.
Author: Lyndsi Richardson Lyndsi is the Community Outreach Specialist for UNC Health Appalachian. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health from Appalachian State University and a Master’s in Digital Marketing from Wake Forest University. Lyndsi is passionate about rural health, health inequity, healthy aging, and health education in the High Country.
