How to Eat Healthy at a Holiday Meal

So you wanna learn how to eat healthy so you don’t have to unbutton your pants at the table this year. I get it. It’s almost become an accepted way of life that a huge holiday meal equals planning to stuff yourself, then actually stuffing yourself, then beating yourself up for stuffing yourself. What if this year could be different? What if this year you planned on enjoying your favorite holiday foods, actually enjoyed the holiday foods in an empowered manner, and then congratulated yourself for enjoying the holiday foods and ending the day feeling great about yourself? Guess what? It’s not as hard as you think. Learning how to eat healthy is a skill that takes practice, but you have to decide to do the work. And what better time than now? I want you to enjoy the holidays this year, and ring in the new year in your same pant size. How great will it be to not vow to lose 10 pounds this year come January, because you never gained them?! There are 5 rules to holiday eating that I always share with my clients, and I’m sharing them with you today. How to Eat Healthy at a Holiday Meal 1. Be a Wo/Man with a Plan. Before you embark on your Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Hanukkah adventures, take a minute to decide what you are going to eat, indulge in, or taste. If you take a few moments before you begin to really think and plan, you will set yourself up to be successful. Sometimes a little planning is all you need to get you through the day enjoying your meal and feeling good too! 2. Take Control with a little Portion Control. Remember to load up on the cleanest cooked vegetables available, salad, and turkey breast, ham, or whatever lean protein is served. Limit the sides and desserts. Choose 2 tablespoons of 2 decadent sides to indulge in and keep the rest of your plate green and lean! Of course, you should enjoy your meal, but get the leftovers out of the house and definitely do not take a doggie bag home. Removing tempting indulgences will help you get back to your Nutritious Life as soon as the holiday is over. RELATED: The Best Portion Control Hack to Avoid Overeating 3. Drink Up, Up, Up! Unwanted calories from beverages can undermine your work. Have a full glass of water or seltzer (with lemon) before the meal and match each glass of wine with a glass of water. Avoid the eggnog and fancy coffee drinks—those calories take the worst revenge and can plump you up in no time. End your meal with an herbal tea instead. 4. Choose the Most Nutrient Dense Foods. Roasted chestnuts, a tablespoon of cranberries, roasted root vegetables, turkey breast, and a spoonful of winter squash are loaded with nutrition! Make sure you are getting these powerhouses in, in place of the stuffing, mashed potatoes and corn bread, which may be less healthful. Making these nutritious choices on the holiday will have you feeling proud and inspired to make better choices the day after and beyond. RELATED: The Power of a Healthy Breakfast: Setting You Up for a Healthier Day 5. Get Up and Go. Do the best you can to move during the day! If it’s snowing outside, build an enormous snowman or have a super competitive snowball fight. If the weather is nice outdoors, rally the family for a 30 minute walk around the neighborhood or a game of touch football. If you’re stuck inside, try a competitive karaoke session with mandatory dance moves or teach your family their first yoga sequence. If all else fails, just offer to chase around after the little ones, since they never can sit still. Their very tired parents will thank you. Remember: Listen to your body! Stop eating when you are slightly satisfied even if it seems to go against the spirit of “stuffing” on Thanksgiving or Ho-Ho-Ho-ing on Christmas. ENJOY your holiday. It is one meal that should be cherished and celebrated. Keep your Nutritious Life in the forefront of your mind and know we’re cheering on your holiday efforts! You’ve got this! (Image: Shutterstock)

Cinco de Mayo Food Traditions: Your Healthier Menu Straight From Puebla

The Battle of Puebla, a key battle in the French-Mexican war, took place on May 5,1862. Today, Cinco de Mayo (which translates to the fifth of May) is a holiday in Puebla, but not really celebrated throughout the rest of Mexico. Mexican Americans brought the holiday to the United States early on as a way to commemorate their heritage. Ever since, Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a day for Americans to celebrate the delicious beverages and food traditions of Mexico. Read on to discover the rich culinary history of Puebla, Mexico, and its contributions to Cinco de Mayo food traditions. You’ll be making these five mouth-watering recipes for years to come! Celebrating Cinco de Mayo and Its Food Traditions the Puebla Way Cinco de Mayo is an excellent opportunity to explore the bountiful culinary culture of Mexico and even more specifically of Puebla, Mexico. As you’re celebrating Cinco de Mayo,be mindful of what you eat and drink. Any holiday menu can become quite decadent, but Nutritious Life founder Keri Glassman, MS, RD, CDN, believes there is a place in an otherwise healthy diet to enjoy rich, flavorful and celebratory food. “If you are mostly eating healthfully and making good choices with your nutrition, lifestyle and exercise, there is room to indulge consciously with food on occasion,” Keri says. RELATED: Cinco de Mayo Celebrations Can Be Healthy, Conscious Indulgences! Traditional Dishes from Puebla Celebrate the essence of Cinco de Mayo by bringing some of the traditional dishes from Puebla into your kitchen this year. Mole Poblano (Image: Mexico In My kitchen) Mole Poblano, like this recipe from Mexico In My Kitchen, is considered a signature dish of Puebla. Mole, meaning concoction, is a rich sauce containing numerous seeds and spices that give it a distinct flavor and also offer many health benefits. Mole traditionally is made from unsweetened Mexican chocolate that is rich in flavonoids. Mole Poblano usually contains lard, so we recommend eating this rich and decadent sauce sparingly. Chalupas (Image: Garlic and Zest) Chalupas, another traditional Pueblan dish, are made with a crispy masa (dough made from corn that has been soaked in lime water and ground) shell and toppings. We love this authentic Mexican chalupa recipe from Garlic & Zest, which was created by a chef from Puebla. It’s  topped with a dash of creamy queso fresco and bright tomatillo sauce. Tomatillos are an excellent source of antioxidants. Chalupa shells are traditionally fried, so try pairing with extra veggies and don’t go overboard with them. Molotes (Image: Broke Bank Vegan) Molotes, which are similar to empanadas, are also masa-based and stuffed with the fillings of your choice. This antojito, or snack, is said to have originated either in Puebla or in Oaxaca (two Mexican cities known for their gastronomy). We love stuffing molotes with veggies to boost antioxidant, and fiber intake. This particular molote recipe from Broke Bank Vegan features poblano peppers, which are native to Puebla. Stuffed Poblano Peppers (Image: Cook with Manali) Poblano peppers offer an opportunity to add a nutrient-dense dish to your Cinco de Mayo table. Poblanos contain vitamin C and capsaicin, which offer antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In this vegetarian recipe from Cook With Manali, they’re stuffed with black beans, vegetables and an array of healthy spices. Rompope (Image: Muy Delish) This sweet and creamy beverage, a Mexican twist on eggnog, is said to have been created by Mexican nuns in the Santa Clara Convent in Puebla in the 17th century. Made with milk, egg yolk, spices, sugar and rum, this rompope recipe from Muy Delish can be served warm or over ice for the perfect, decadent treat. Enjoy Cinco de Mayo the Nutritious Life Way No matter what Cinco de Mayo food traditions you add to your menu, don’t forget to enjoy yourself! Making empowered food choices is an important part of your whole-person approach to a healthy lifestyle, but so is celebrating cultures and traditions, having fun, and connecting with friends. For more recipe inspiration for your Cinco de Mayo celebration, check out 10 Healthier Recipes For Your Cinco de Mayo Celebration. (Image: Shutterstock)