7 Tips For a Healthy Thanksgiving

There are temptations galore during the holiday season. A number of us will pack on a quite a few pounds from now until January 1, 2015. Every holiday season, those who overindulge will make their New Year’s Resolutions, which will usually not be kept for more than just a few weeks. But those “empty promises”, will somehow make those who have overindulged feel less guilty. Overindulging can however have serious health consequences, which can even include a heart attack.

It can be difficult to resist all those enticing treats and temptations. Good intentions can fly out the window. It is possible to keep control of your health and feel fantastic throughout the holiday season.

Here are seven simple tricks that can help you fight the “Battle of the Holiday Bulge”!

1. LOAD UP ON VEGGIES - Roast turkey is a common Thanksgiving meal in many homes. It is also ideal to include many vegetables. Load up on pumpkin, kale, sweet potatoes, asparagus, carrots, onions, cabbage, brussel sprouts, green beans, garlic and mushrooms.

2. EXPERIMENT WITH A NEW THANKSGIVING MENU - Thanksgiving is the time to cook up a storm. It is also a perfect time to think outside the box and make some new “Thanksgiving Classics”! With so many delicious and healthy recipes available, you can be creative!

3. PRACTICE CONSCIOUS CONSUMPTION - Eating mindfully and slowly is one of the best ways to eat . Take your time and enjoy every mouthful. Make sure to chew your food well and take a few second rest after you swallow, prior to taking the next bite! The goal is not to eat to the point of being uncomfortable..

4. HOLD BACK ON THE GLUTEN - Gluten is a protein found in several types of grains, including wheat, spelt, rye and barley. Gluten does not agree with everyone and even for those who do not experience an obvious intolerance, they can be uncomfortable if they consume gluten in large quantities. Gluten has been shown to cause lethargy, bloating and stomach pain, even in those individuals.

5. STEER CLEAR OF REFINED SUGAR - One of the main sources of calories is refined sugar. Excessive sugar consumption is probably the largest factor underlying obesity and chronic disease in America. Sugar damages the immune system, causes mood swings and premature aging. Sugar also contributes to ailments such as tooth decay, osteoporosis and heart disease.

6. LOOK AFTER YOURSELF -Don’t feel you have to bend to peer pressure by gorging on food you would rather not have. Feel free to refuse a second helping or only have a very small portion to begin with.

7. LIMIT YOUR ALCOHOL INTAKE - Everyone loves to relax and unwind over the holiday season, but overdoing it in the alcohol department can leave you feeling sluggish, moody, dehydrated and hung over. Alcohol also depletes the body of essential nutrients, zaps energy and causes weight gain. Keeping tabs on the amount you consume is a good idea.

If you follow these guidelines, you will be in a much better place when 2015 arrives!

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