They’re Coming!!

Well, it seems like it was just  yesterday when I wrote about some strategies to help us get ready and through the holiday season.  Now that the weather is getting a little colder and the grocery store shelves are beginning to fill up with the latest “easy-to-prepare” snacks, appetizers, and quick meals to “help” us get through the holiday season, I feel that it is important to shed some light on how “often” to enjoy these treats!  Yes, everything in moderation in life, however, we don’t work as hard as we do throughout the year, both with our nutrition and in the gym, to let that all go down the tube during the holidays.  The holidays are a happier time for most.  The energy, lights, traditions, get-togethers, parties, more parties, and then a few more…….So, here are just a few tips and tricks to help us all get through these upcoming times!

If purchasing a quick-to-make appetizer or dessert from the store, read the package label!!  Yes, something that is already prepared for you takes out most of the work, so there HAS to be something (or a few extra ingredients) in that food product to help keep it shelf stable and easy to make at home.  All packaged foods will have a food label with the nutrition on the back.  When you look at this label, first look at the serving size.  Then ask yourself, “Do I eat that much? Or a little more”.  The key things for your eye to move to on that label are the nutrients that we want to limit……the bad things (total saturated and trans fat, sodium, added sugars).  When you look to the far right of a nutrition label, there is a percentage, the % Daily Value (%DV).  For the food nutrients that we want to limit in our diet, aim to make choices with less than 5% of these items, or as close as possible to less than 5% per serving.  For those nutrients in food that we want more of—fibre, vitamins and minerals—choose the items that have more than 15% of that nutrient per serving, or close to that.  Now, most of these holiday packaged goods won’t give us levels of less than 5% for the nutrients to minimize and more than 15% of the nutrients to maximize, however, there are always a few options available to compare, so make sure you choose the item that is closest to these recommendations as possible.

One other thing.  The most common question I get from people during this time of year is “how do I control myself at the holiday potluck party”.  YES! This is the biggest fear amongst most people.  When I recommend for them to “bring the vegetable platter” or the “cheese, fruit and cracker platter” (low fat cheese choices and whole grain crackers with grapes, some nuts and dried fruit), the most common response is, “Really? I would, but no one would eat it”.  I follow up by telling them that the fact that the majority of people I speak to fear the “holiday potluck” party, and it takes one person to step up and bring that healthy platter that will help bring a little more healthy nutrition to their plate!  Just a thought!! Think about setting that trend when you start R.S.V.P.’ing to your holiday parties and how you will contribute!