During Eat Smart Month in November, the American Heart Association (AHA) will provide daily holiday hacks to inspire simple but important healthy habits. To join in, readers may text DAILYHACK to 51555.
Eating healthfully during the holidays does not mean deprivation; it is about eating smart and looking for small, healthy changes and swaps. For example, choosing vegetables instead of crackers or chips at lunch may not seem like much, but those little changes add up over time.
Eating healthy also does not mean sacrificing taste. The trick is finding delicious, nutrient-packed foods that one enjoys. There are many varieties of fruits and vegetables to try and many healthful ways to prepare them.
The AHA offers four healthy tips for this holiday season. People may use spices, choose nutritious snacks, shop smart, and mind their mind.
A great way to reduce sodium and sugar is to add more herbs and spices. People may try adding basil to pasta dishes, cumin to taco fillings like beans or lean ground meat, rosemary or thyme to roasted chicken or potatoes, and cinnamon to baked cobbler or morning oatmeal.
To avoid overindulging at holiday meals, healthy snacks should be kept on hand to stay satisfied while preparing meals or enjoying quality time with family. Readers can slice up seasonal fruit like apples and pears or try making air-popped popcorn and adding favorite spices or a healthier non-sugar sweetener.
Grocery shopping during the holidays can be overwhelming. When looking for heart-healthy options, shoppers should keep an eye out for the AHA's Heart-Check mark on select products. When in doubt, shoppers should always check the nutrition label and try to choose products that are lower in sodium, sugar, and saturated fats.
It is also important to take care of one's mind. This holiday season may look different, with more time spent at home. People are encouraged to find moments throughout the season to practice gratitude, meditate, and relish the time. It is also okay to enjoy a treat once in a while. Managing stress and enjoying simple pleasures is good for both the head and heart.
For more healthy tips and recipes, readers may visit http://www.heart.org/eatsmartmonth.
Leave a Review