Happy Healthy Holidays!

The holidays are here and parties are in full swing. There are temptations everywhere we are look! After all, it's the season of joy and we tend to eat comfort foods that make us feel good.

Always remember that you are in control and you determine what you eat and what you do not. Just because those yummy holiday cookies and that big baked ham are in front of us, it doesn't mean we should eat it.

Comfort foods have a large emotional attachment involved and if not careful, we can lose control quickly, oooops! Many of us tend to forget this. Let's talk about some ways we can enjoy the holidays but still keep our health and figures in mind!

1. Eat a healthy meal before attending a party. Most parties have snacking foods to pick from. If we fill our bellies with a large glass of water or a big grilled chicken salad, we are not going to be as hungry and won't overdue the picking. 

2. Choose your limit before you go out. Instead of going to a party looking to eat everything at the buffet, have a game plan. "I will only eat two cookies and have one glass of red wine" or "I will eat one plate of appetizers and not go back for seconds". This sets us up to be in a different mind frame than showing up and comfort eating.

3. Know your nutrition labels. If you are aware of how many calories, fat, cholesterol, etc., is in the food you are about to eat, it may be enough to help you limit yourself! A large class of eggnog can be between 300-500 calories! But a small cup of hot chocolate with hot water is around can be between 90-200 calories and much less saturated fat. However, it's not just about limiting yourself. It's about knowing what's healthier, too. Go for the veggie platter with a little dip over cheese and crackers to get the most nutrients! 

4. Sip slowly. At social events, we tend to indulge heavier in alcoholic beverages because we are sipping and socializing. Alcohol is taxing on the liver and can be heavy in the calories as well. Spend more time talking than sipping. After all, talking and laughing is burning calories! If this is difficult, switch out every drink with a glass of water. This will give your liver a little break and help aide your digestion. 

5. Bring your own tray of goodies. Most of us have gone to an event where let's face it, there's NO healthy decision to choose from. If you fear this may happen and want to avoid over indulging, why not bring your own tray of healthy snacks? Grab some pita chips and flavored hummus. It's an excellent source of protein and fiber! 

6. Take a daily multivitamin. When we eat junk food full of sugar, meat, fats, and alcohol, we deplete ourselves of the vitamins we are in-taking from the healthy foods. Meats deplete us of calcium, alcohol of B vitamins, iron, and zinc, sugar depletes calcium, magnesium, and B vitamins, and hydrogenated fats from processed foods also deplete our B vitamins, which are used in our metabolisms, blood cells, nervous system, and for energy! This is why it's important to eat these substances in moderation. 

Keeping healthy during the holidays does not have to be boring! Detoxing your body after a holiday is a great way to get your body back on track as well.

For more nutrition, health, or detox questions, please call Dr. Kosciusko of New Horizon Chiropractic & Wellness in Portsmouth at 401-683-6430 or visit us online at www.newhorizonchiro.com. Feel Better, Live Better!