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Mary Thomas

Wholesome Eating During The Holidays ~~Mary Thomas

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The festive season 2020 is on us. Navratri, Diwali, Gurparab, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Year’s—when we spend time with family and friends enjoying old traditions and creating new ones. Many of those traditions involve food. This year we have an uninvited guest COVID-19 to contend with.
After months of isolation, many families view the holidays as both an opportunity for relief and a cause for concern. FYI: The COVID-19 virus is not taking a break. Keep up with all safety precautions, both for you and for those around you, to ensure that you enjoy a truly healthy holiday season.
A few tips to keep you and your family healthy during this unusual holiday season.

Safety first
The pandemic is not over. To minimize your chances of contracting or spreading the virus, everyone should continue to follow the basic guidelines we’ve got used to:
⦁ Wear a mask (except when eating).
⦁ Stay at least six feet away from other people.
⦁ Wash your hands frequently.
⦁ Additional guidelines for safe gatherings during the holidays:
⦁ Limit get-togethers to people from no more than three households.
⦁ Keep events to under two hours.
⦁ If possible, hold gatherings outdoors.
⦁ Avoid singing and loud talking.
⦁ Take socially distanced photographs
If you’re feeling unwell or have any concerns about the safety of an event you’re considering, stay home! It’s better to be cautious than to risk unnecessary exposure to COVID-19.

Schedule
⦁ Holidays are about food, no matter how you celebrate them. Maintaining a routine and planning ahead can help your family strike a balance between having healthy meals and enjoying the occasional indulgence.
⦁ Involve children in shopping and preparing meals and snacks. This gives them a sense of ownership and pride as people comment on their delectable culinary creations. This is especially helpful for picky eaters.
⦁ Keep to your normal mealtimes to limit the graze-and-grab style of eating that can creep in when there’s lots of food around.
⦁ Set up innovative holiday traditions that are not based on food. A daily family walk to look at holiday decorations, board-game night, a creative way to get each member light the candles—activities like these move the attention away from food as you build long-lasting memories.

Be realistic about food choices
⦁ Let kids have their special foods, but fill in with healthy snacks they could prepare themselves. A bowl of chopped fruit or vegetables with nuts sprinkled on top can appeal to children get them to do the chopping, peeling, or sprinkling themselves.
⦁ Include lots of vegetables and fruits in your meals. They are not only nourishing but add a vibrant splash of color to the table.
⦁ If you know you’ll be busy with holiday preparations, set aside a plate of healthy foods like fruit, nuts, and yogurt in advance. Then you’ll have something quick and nutritious to reach for when you’re hungry. Be kind to others.⦁ Unemployment resulting from the coronavirus pandemic has pushed many people to the edge of their ability to cope, and food insecurity is now the reality in many households. Consider volunteering with your family at a food pantry or soup kitchen to help distribute food or serve meals.
⦁ Be aware that holiday eating can be stressful for people with chronic conditions such as diabetes or celiac disease. Ask your guests if they have any food restrictions so that you can have appropriate food available for them. They will be grateful and you’ll feel great!
⦁ If anyone in your family has a chronic condition that affects what they can eat, let the hosts know in advance so that your whole family can enjoy the celebration. Don’t be shy about this—your hosts will appreciate your telling them.

Be kind to yourself
Stay active. This can be your most effective stress-reduction tool any time of the year but especially during the holidays. Take time to relax. Go for a walk. Meditate. Read a book.
Recognize that taking care of yourself is an act of giving. It will enrich your experience of your holiday. Be a role model for your family in self-care. Take time to rest, digest and enjoy everything calmly, in moderation.
For many of us, the holiday season is when we forget about healthy lifestyle goals, we usually set for ourselves. For me, it’s all about balance and ensuring your healthy life is manageable and sustainable all year round which means indulgence, parties, good holiday food and fun times.
Deprivation is not a good idea. Enjoy Christmas treats! Deprivation often leads to overeating or binge-eating. We have to learn to eat with moderation and mindfulness, instead.
Remember: holiday meals don’t have to leave you feeling stuffed, lethargic and unhealthy. Especially because there are so many tasty, wholesome alternatives to festive food. Prepare healthy versions of your favorite treats!

contd on LadiesCornerMagazine

Mary Thomas

Mary Thomas joins us in January with Panels with Mary Thomas

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