Free Healthy Holiday Eating Guide Available
As we prepare to gather with family and friends this holiday season, the American Heart Association reminds us that we can make smart recipe substitutions to keep our holiday meals—and the people we love—healthier. Over-indulging in traditional holiday foods can add extra pounds to our waistlines, and increase our risk for obesity, diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
More than 60% of Americans are overweight or obese, according to the AHA, so getting to and maintaining a healthy weight is important during the holidays and year round. The AHA recommends making small but impactful lifestyle changes to prevent heart disease and stroke, the nation’s number one and four killers. Studies show that more than 80% of heart disease can be prevented with simple lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, exercising 30 minutes most days of the week and eating healthier.
The American Heart Association says the first step is to determine your daily calorie intake with an app or online calculator, then adjust your daily calories into the healthy range. A good place to start is by eating more fruits and vegetables which are low in calories and high in nutrition.
“Many of the traditional foods served during the holidays can be healthy – the trick is to not load on the butter, sodium and sugar,” said registered dietitian Pat Salzer, who is a workplace wellness consultant at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield and a former member of the American Heart Association advisory board in Utica. “Add color and nutrition to your plate with seasonal squash, roasted vegetables and fruit-based desserts.”
All of the holiday parties and dinners can throw off your healthy lifestyle goals. The American Heart Association is offering its annual Holiday Healthy Eating Guide to help people navigate the holiday season in a healthy way. The 13-page free guide has tips, recipes and resources to help maintain a healthy lifestyle during the busy holiday season. The guide is available free online at www.bit.ly/AHAHolidayGuide.