Have a Happy, Healthy Holiday

During the holidays, we are often exposed to situations that can influence how much we eat. Instead of fearing weight gain, focus on strategies that allow for the enjoyment of festive foods.

Tips to try this season:

• Eat mindfully – when eating a holiday sweet, portion it on a plate and sit down to enjoy it.
• Don’t skip meals – this will only leave you hungry and more likely to overeat at your next meal.
• Ditch the diet mentality – many popular low carbohydrate diets involve cutting out entire food groups, which can skimp on essential vitamins, such as B vitamins. This can lead to fatigue, making it harder to enjoy this lively time of year. 

• Make new traditions with festive, supportive foods

 
Try this sweet potato pancake recipe – it is an excellent source of vitamin A, which supports immune function to help keep you healthy during the holidays.

REFERENCES:
Díaz-Zavala RG, Castro-Cantú MF, Valencia ME, Álvarez-Hernández G, Haby MM, Esparza
Romero J. Effect of the Holiday Season on Weight Gain: A Narrative Review. J Obes.2017; 2085136.
Huang Z, Liu Y, Qi G, Brand D, Zheng SG. Role of Vitamin A in the Immune System. J Clin Med. 2018;7(9): 258.
Niacin Facts Sheet for Health Professionals. National Institutes of Health. Last Updated July 2019. Accessed October 2019.