So many of us worry about overindulging during the holidays. It’s a great time to enjoy things we wouldn’t normally eat and to join in traditions and share food at gatherings, but when the New Year comes around lots of us feel bloated, sluggish and wish we had balanced celebrations with making healthier food choices. Registered Nutritionist, Tammy Prince, shares these 10 tips for staying healthy during the holidays.

1. Plan your holiday indulgences:
   Rather than snacking on cookies and dips continually throughout the month, plan for when you really want to indulge; ie. a holiday get together with friends or a family reunion. Choose to eat healthy the rest of the time and save those extra calories for when you really want them.

2. Remember that sugar reduces the effectiveness of your immune system:
   Sugar has a drastic impact on our immune systems. Keep your defences up by limiting sugar, getting enough sleep, eating quality protein and veggies along with getting your supplemental vitamin D and C.

3. Include some quality protein in your diet:
   This will help to balance your blood sugar and give you energy to burn.

4. Challenge yourself to give your traditional holiday menu a healthy makeover:
   Try adding an extra veggie dish in place of a heavy, rich one. Perhaps experiment with a superfood such as quinoa or kale. Add a few nuts or seeds to a favourite side dish.

5. Keep up your exercise routine during the holiday season:
   This can be hard with how busy this season can be, and how cold, but consistency will help you stay on track and minimize any effects of the change to your eating habits this time of year.

6. Take time to de-stress:
   Stress has a big impact on your immune system and overall health, so try to find some time to do some of your favourite activities and find time to wind down from the excitement and busyness of the holidays.

7. Celebrate winter by getting outside:
   For many, winter is their least favourite season, but there are many fun winter activities to enjoy such as skating, skiing, sledding, snowshoeing (if we get snow!!) Either way, fresh air, sunshine, and exercise are wonderful for our health and help to boost our mood too!

8. Think of nutrient packed soups as a great way to get extra veggies in each day: Load your slow cooker in the morning and come home to a healthy, delicious dinner. There are so many simple and affordable recipes online to try and on busy days, having everything cooking in the crockpot will save you much needed time, and prevent you from reaching for fast food that will maybe leave you feeling bloated and sluggish.

9. If you are a baker, make use of your freezer over the holidays:
   Freezing batches will help to keep the goodies out of reach until needed, and temptation under control.

10. Enjoy those around you and take time to embrace the peace and joy that this season can bring:
    If this is a hard season for you, reach out to others for support, this could be a friend, neighbour, family member or a professional. Our sister company, Brant Mental Health Solutions www.brantmentalhealth.com has a team of therapists who can help you navigate this season. Also, try and make sure to do something nice for yourself.

Wishing you a wonderful and healthy holiday season!

For more information about our nutrition services, or to book a free consultation, call us at 519.751.0728 or email pathwaystohopebrant@gmail.com.