The holidays are upon us and the joy of the season is often paired with a good amount of stress. Managing everyday life can be stressful enough so the hussle of the holidays can send some people over the edge quite quickly. It’s a known fact that many people use food to medicate many emotions, including stress. Add to that the abundance of decadent foods around the holidays and the well understood desire not to gain weight this time of year and you have, yes, more stress.
So how can you break the cycle? How can you decrease the amount of stress in your life and become more mindful about your food choices during the holidays and throughout the year? The key is slowing down and asking yourself a few questions.
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We heart holiday food, but holiday food doesn’t always show love our waistlines. Use these simple tricks to lighten up your favorites.
#1: Baked Ham
Ham is a lean meat but when recipes call for one pound per serving the calories skyrocket to 760 and the fat climbs to 44 grams! Also, when you’re talking smoked or cured foods, the sodium can get out of control.
To lighten: Stick to 3 to 4 ounce portions and lessen the amount of salt added to flavor the ham or use lower-sodium versions.
Other tips to lighten up baked ham
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‘Tis the season for holiday shopping but don’t let a hectic trip to the mall lead to a Santa-like physique. Use our tips for more figure-friendly shopping snacks.
Order: Fresh and Light
When it comes to tackling the food court, most malls offer the usual suspects of the fast food world. Use our guides make the smartest choices at McDonald’s, Burger King, Taco Bell, Subway and Wendy’s.
A salad with vinaigrette dressing (on the side) or a small cup of soup are usually the most sensible options. Check your local mall’s website ahead of time to see which chain restaurants they feature, then download the nutrition info from the company’s website.
Not: Buttery and Sugary
While the smell of butter-drenched pretzels and over-sized chocolate chip cookies are calling out to you, these classic mall goodies can pack in more than 350 calories each. That pretzel also contains more than 40% of the daily recommended amount of sodium, while the cookie boasts 17 grams of total fat and 8 grams of saturated fat. The show-stopper just might be the ooey-gooey cinnamon bun, coming it a holiday-wrecking 880 calories and 36 grams of fat each!
Think sipping on a smoothie or festive coffee drink is better? Think again. A medium-sized smoothie or whipped cream-topped gingerbread latte will also pack in more than 300 sugar-filled calories.
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Today is the last day of Hannukah, and Christmas is just a few days away! If you’re caught up in the holiday bustle, this week’s list of reader comments is here to help with suggestions on parties, cookies and homemade gifts. And when you’re ready for a minute to yourself, indulge in a favorite comfort food with a better-for-you spin.
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Peanut butter, it seems, is personal. After we tried a few brands in our taste test, we were flooded with suggestions of jars to try. One of our readers even had a great way to use peanut butter in a favorite dip. On the holiday front, if you’re still stuck on gifts to get your foodie friend, look no further than this week’s list of reader comments.
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Whether it’s for Hanukkah, Christmas or just because, ’tis the season for giving gifts. If you’re interested in giving away food-related gifts, skip those high-calorie candies or basket of sweets, and check out our ideas instead.
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Thanksgiving is over, but the holidays continue for several more weeks! On this week’s menu of reader comments: turkey stuffing, potato swaps and mindful eating tips for your next celebration.
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From October to December, it seems like we go into eating overdrive. The secret to a guilt-free Thanksgiving meal is finding balance without feeling deprived. Use these tips to help you throughout the holidays, no matter where you’re celebrating.
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Most folks have no idea how many calories they’re downing when they fill their holiday plates. Now, we’d never suggest you go without, but you can still eat wisely while you eat well. Use that chart above to keep your choices in perspective. Enjoy a little bit of everything, and you can shave hundreds of excess calories off your meal!
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Today may be called “Fat Tuesday,” but you don’t have to take that literally. Don’t worry about your waistline with this spiced-up, Mardi Gras-inspired menu.
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