One of the aspects that continues to be important in this time of celebration and in the face of the panorama caused by Covid-19, is food.
Precisely in a survey conducted by Herbalife Nutrition, 61% of those interviewed stated that they deserve to indulge these parties more than in other years, due to the stress experienced; while another 53% said they made less healthy decisions in an attempt to feel better and accept that this year the holidays will be different.
In accordance with Susan Bowerman, nutrition expert, while it’s okay to indulge yourself during the holidays, it’s not good to throw it all away, because it could lead to unnecessary weight gain and increased anxiety for the year ahead.
Bowerman provided a number of ways you can satisfy your cravings without neglecting your health this holiday season:
- Eat snacks. Snacks can serve several purposes: a nutritious and balanced one can help maintain energy between meals and control appetite at mealtime, so you eat less. However, stressful situations can often motivate us to eat unnecessary or stress snacks to escape the negative feelings we are experiencing. For this reason, it is important to eat snacks before party gatherings, or even bring high-protein snacks, such as a handful of unsalted nuts or a protein bar. Hard, crunchy foods can also help relieve stress by working the tight muscles in the jaw; so try a handful of almonds, soybeans, or baby carrots.
- Stay hydrated Water is essential for the absorption of nutrients. Enough water should be drunk so that the body can properly digest food, deliver nutrients to cells, and eliminate unnecessary substances from the body. The immune system also depends on a well-hydrated body. It is also possible to hydrate with other fluids in addition to water.
- Protein and vegetable prioritization. At parties, many of the dishes are high in calories and have few nutrients and vitamins that the body needs. One way to avoid unhealthy meals is to add more protein and vegetables to your dishes and cut down on carbohydrates and fat. Protein-rich foods such as meat, chicken, eggs, and legumes create satiety, in addition to providing B vitamins, vitamin E, iron, zinc, and magnesium.
- Selectivity with sweets. Sweets and treats are unavoidable at parties, but it is important to choose well. Unfortunately, many sweets can have a high caloric cost that is counterproductive to maintaining a healthy weight. You don’t need to cut them out entirely, but you should try to limit yourself to eating small portions of those special treats that you only eat during the holidays.
According to the nutrition expert, all these tips give way to the feeling of well-being during the holidays.
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