Which Foods To Avoid During The Holiday Season And Why
It's the most wonderful time of the year, and while that typically means good food and fun times with friends and family, it can also mean lots of unhealthy eating. From pumpkin pies to Christmas cookies, there are tons of delicious - but not always healthy - foods to tempt us during the holidays. This can be a challenging time for those trying to stick to a healthy diet, but with a little planning, you can enjoy the holiday season without overindulging.
There are specific foods you should avoid during the holiday season, and we’re going to break down what exactly they are and why.
1. Dark Meat Turkey w/ Skin
Some families decide on turkey for both Thanksgiving and Christmas, but one thing you should try to avoid, specifically, is dark meat turkey with the skin on. Dark meat—especially with the skin—contains as much as twice the fat content as other cuts. You can substitute by simply switching it out with white meat turkey and avoiding the skin.
2. Canned Gravy
If you decide on using gravy for your turkey, you may want to opt for making your own, homemade version. Regular, store-bought gravy is packed with sodium, including white flour and cornstarch to thicken the gravy. Instead of using so much salt, you can use savory herbs instead and also create a thickness using stock.
3. Pie
Pie is a sought-after dessert typically enjoyed after your holiday dinner. Any kind of dessert, including pie, is often high in sugar and fat. Instead of indulging in these high-sugar, high-fat desserts, you can substitute for desserts that are lower in fats and oils such as sorbet or fruit.
4. Eggnog
‘Tis the season, right? Sorry to be the lump of coal and say that eggnog is something you should avoid this holiday season if you want to get healthy. It’s full of cream, sugar, and eggs that make the holiday beverage high in cholesterol, saturated fat, and calories. You can whip up your own version of it at home by combining a few tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder, a cup of skim milk, and a splash of light eggnog instead of the usual kind.
When the holidays come around, it's easy to want to indulge in all of your favorite foods. But before you do that, consider what this sort of behavior could be doing to your body.
Happy Holidays!