Turn your Holiday Eating into HO-HO-HO, with a lot of “GO” and not too much “WHOA”!

By Carol Caldara, CATCH National Rep/Nutritionist

Visions of sugar plums and tables laden with festive holiday foods warm our hearts during the holiday season and provide us with cherished opportunities to share the season with family and friends. However, over indulging on the season's treats can leave us tired and sluggish from the excessive fat and sugars that are often packed into holiday foods, and can easily pack on a few extra pounds. You need to keep an awareness of those food ingredients and remind yourself to make balanced food decisions. By doing this, you can still enjoy your holiday eating using the simple CATCH, “GO, SLOW, WHOA” food list.

We all know that there will be plenty of “WHOA, WHOA, WHOA”, those once-in-a-while foods tempting us. And, certainly during the holidays everyone deserves a special holiday treat of cookies, cakes and dips. Be smart and limit the portions and know when to quit. Encourage yourself to eat more “Go” – “Everyday Foods.” Balance out your intake by keeping up your intake of “Go” foods with plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy and dressings. Trim the fat off of meats and poultry and utilize whole grain breads, tortillas and breakfast cereals. Add salads to holiday meals and special fruity and vinegar dressings, rather than high-fat creamy dressings. Drink lots of water and be aware of the calories in eggnog and creamy holiday beverages.

When it comes to the dessert table, balance out a smaller portion of a “WHOA” dessert and increase the colorful red raspberries, strawberries, and assortment of colorful nutrient dense low calorie fruits.

Since holidays are typically a time of school closings and spending time with family and friends, don't make it all about food. Organize a family outing that includes walking, skiing and other opportunities to exercise and burn up those extra “WHOA” calories that all enjoyed. Remember, it is all about balance of calorie intake and energy expenditure.

Enjoy your holidays!

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