Have a Healthy Holiday

Turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce galore — ‘tis the season to be tempted.

Before the Halloween candy has a chance to settle, retail stores are hanging tinsel and adorning their window displays with fluffy fake snow. The holidays have arrived, bringing parties full of seductive, sinful snacks. Don’t be fooled! These short-term stimuli can result in bloating, fatigue and extra pounds that become the targets of New Year’s resolutions

Dr. Jeffrey Hampl, associate professor in ASU’s nutrition program, says people are usually drawn to seasonal favorites around Halloween.

“They remind us of happy memories, or we think, ‘I only get to eat this once a year so it’s now or never,’” Hampl says.

For holiday health, Hampl suggests:

Don’t starve yourself — Not eating all day will only increase your hunger and cause you to overeat later
Make better choices — When you are eyeballing the buffet table, try to choose things that will satisfy cravings but pass up foods you can go with out.
Slow down — Take your time eating and give your body time to digest.

“Eating healthy during the holidays isn’t at all impossible,” Hampl says. “Like other components of our lives, we need to balance self-restraint with our desires, which, in this case, is enjoying the pleasure we should get when eating with friends, family, and loved ones.”

Contact Reporter at javega1@asu.edu