During the holidays, the visits that patients make to my San Diego chiropractic office slow down. While I am not thrilled with the fact that holiday obligations take precedent over the excellent chiropractic care that we strive to deliver, it is in fact the case. That being said, since our concerns do lie with our patients’ health as a whole, we do stress the importance of healthy eating habits during the holidays.
Parties and celebrations during the holiday season present a challenge to healthy eating habits since there are many opportunities to overeat and indulge on special foods that we don't normally eat. Try some of the following tips to achieve balance and keep your eating habits in check:
Don't starve yourself:
Not eating all day before a party or holiday meal usually results in excess hunger and overeating later. It's okay to eat light meals during the day to save up some calories for the main meal. If this is your strategy, before leaving the house, have some fruit, low fat milk or veggies to curb your appetite and off-set your impending "bad" calories .
Make wise choices:
Before loading your plate, browse all the selections and decide what foods you'd like to enjoy and which you can skip without feeling too deprived. Set a reasonable limit for what and how much you are going to eat. Chew gum to avoid excess snacking!
Slow down:
Try to eat slowly and enjoy the special treats that you've selected. Eating fast increases the chances of taking second helpings. Spend time socializing with family and friends in order to take the emphasis off of the food.
Be prepared:
If you are going to spend hours traveling by car or out at the mall shopping, pack a few healthy snacks to decrease the chances of eating fast foods. Carry fruit, low fat cheese, whole grain crackers, or a few nuts to curb your appetite and prevent excess hunger.
Limit your alcohol intake:
Some mixed drinks can contain up to 1100 calories! Also, alcohol increases your appetite and hampers decision making leading to the consumption of more calories.
Set a good example:
If you are the host or hostess, offer some healthy choices such as veggies and low calorie dip. Many of your guests will be delighted to have these tasty alternatives as they are trying to watch their diets too! More and more people are trying to avoid gaining those "Holiday Pounds."
Stay active:
It is easy to let your exercise routine collapse during the holidays. Taking a walk, dancing to holiday music, using the stairs and parking your car far away from the mall entry are easy ways to be active during this time of the year.
More Soon,
Doc
Call Steve Jones at his San Diego Chiropractic Clinic
(619) 280 0554
www.jonespainrelief.com
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