For Your Safety - Screening, masks, and sanitation will continue to be implemented at our facility. Please see our blog post for more information.

Holiday Eating Survival Tips

Turkey with cranberry sauce. Holiday cookies. Wine. Mashed potatoes and gravy. Appetizers galore! This is the time of year where decadent food is everywhere. When you’re surrounded by treats and temptations, it can be difficult to make healthy choices. 

Here are 8 simple tips to help you indulge without going overboard this holiday season: 

  1. Enjoy your “must-have” foods. This is probably the most important tip as it is easy to go overboard in all the goodies that are available this time of year. Be picky about what treats you really enjoy and want in your food environment. Promise yourself that you will have a few favourites over the holidays, and set aside those that you don’t particularly want. Why not try to skip the bread basket, or the treats that are widely available year round? Pick what works best for you.
  2. Don’t forget to pre-eat for that 7pm dinner. We all know what a bad idea it is to go grocery shopping hungry, so why is your next holiday meal any different? The fact is, when we’re hungry we make impulse food decisions. Whether or not you’d normally eat those appetizers or pick up that extra cocktail, you will. Why? Because they are there and you’ll be irrationally hungry. My keys to success are eating a normal sized breakfast and lunch, and having a handful of almonds, baby carrots or small yogurt on my way out the door to the party. That way when I arrive, I already have a little bit of food in my stomach and I can focus more on the foods I really want.
  3. Try a smaller plate at your next buffet or potluck. You’ll actually eat less. Alternatively, if it’s cocktail hour, try holding your beverage and your cellphone or a napkin. With both hands full it’s more difficult to pick up appetizers. This will help slow you down and allow you to be more aware of the appetizers you do pick.
  4. Get moving and make a holiday season resolution. In Winnipeg, it can be easy to use the cold as an excuse not to venture outside. Try making a holiday season resolution instead. Commit to just one thing that you can do during this busy time to feel your best each day. Some ideas to try: go for a walk after dinner or perhaps build a snowman with your kids. Better yet, check out the City of Winnipeg’s Priceless Fun Guide which lists all sorts of interesting free events and activities around the city (located at: http://winnipeg.ca/cms/recreation/leisureguide.stm). Not possible? Maybe target a goal of a good night’s sleep instead.
  5. Start with the fruit and veggies. Fibre helps fill you up, and slows you down. Scan the food or menu first and start with the veggies. The first food we put on our plate is often the one with the largest portion size.
  6. Don’t forget about the drinks. A beer, eggnog or even that last minute Frappuccino at the mall are delicious, but be wary – their calories add up quickly. That eggnog? 200-330 calories depending on the brand. My husband’s favorite craft beer? Around 200 calories per serving. That Peppermint Mocha Frappuccino (made with 2 percent milk, whipped cream) = 410 calories. It can add up quickly. Instead, try alternating alcoholic drinks with water, or try lower-calorie/sugar beverage mixes (club soda and lime, water with lemon, diet pop or even a lower calorie juice mix like Trop50).
  7. Plan for your potluck with your co-workers or family. Try some of these healthier recipes to share with the group: Fruit Kebabs with Maple Cinnamon Yogurt Dip; Crowd-Pleasing Turkey Chili; Butternut Squash, Spinach and Feta Frittata; and Toffee Bars. All of these recipes can be found on www.cookspiration.com a website and smartphone app developed by Dietitians of Canada.
  8. Share the gift of health. Before you default to wine and chocolates this year as many of us do, here are some other ideas for stocking stuffers and hostess gifts: Flavoured teas, soaps, candles, lotions, nuts (nutcracker optional), spice blends in a decorative packages, or a fruit bouquet. Better yet, why not try a gift that involves creating a memory together like a trip to a museum, event or movie?

Most importantly – it’s the holidays. You may be so busy buying presents and entertaining guests, but don’t you forget to take the time to just relax. Be kind to yourself, especially about your food choices and enjoy quality time with friends and family.

Sarah Morry, Registered Dietitian
Sarah Morry, Registered Dietitian

Sarah received her Bachelor of Human Ecology with a major in Foods and Nutrition from the University of Manitoba in 1988 and obtained her Registered Dietitian designation in 1989. Sarah has been in private practice for over 25 years helping people reach their individual nutrition goals.

Her previous work experience includes Clinical Dietitian at the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre (previously know as the Sharon Home), Ambulatory and Urgent Care Dietitian at the Misericordia Health Centre, Symposium Coordinator, Diabetes Research and Treatment Centre, and nutrition class instructor at the City of Winnipeg Parks and Recreation and Rady Jewish Community Centre. As well, Sarah works at a medical clinic in Winnipeg. She is an active member of the Dietitians of Canada and the College of Dietitians of Manitoba.

Sarah’s focus is on nutrition counselling individual children and adults, including seniors, related to therapeutic diets (e.g. high blood pressure, cholesterol and gastrointestinal disorders), weight management, healthy eating, prenatal nutrition, sports nutrition, eating disorders and group counselling.

Sarah understands many of the frustrations and hurdles one has to overcome in making lifestyle changes to reach these goals. As a mother to three active boys and wife, she appreciates how finding a healthy balance can be difficult. She is dedicated to her profession and loves helping people find that healthy balance and giving them practical and effective tools they can use to make healthy food choices for the rest of their lives.

Her coaching style is very client-focused, working hard to develop a trusting relationship with her clients where she works together, as a team, to meet nutrition objectives. Sarah takes great satisfaction that most of her clients feel a personal connection to her approach and she has a long history of client success stories.

Sarah has a passion for her profession. Her goal is to carefully listen to her clients and work closely with them to find a healthy and balanced way of living that fits their specific needs and individual circumstances. She believes that nothing is written in stone. If one approach doesn’t work, she and her clients will find one that does . . . together.

Sarah is thrilled to join the Corydon Physiotherapy Clinic Team and help her clients lead healthier lives.

Articles: 4

Leave a Reply