By Dana Ryan, Ph.D., M.A. – Director, Sports Performance and Education
While many of us consider it the most wonderful time of the year, the holiday season can be a time of great stress and anxiety for those trying to lose weight or trying to simply maintain their healthy lifestyle. Two of the biggest obstacles to healthy eating during the holidays are travel and holiday parties, as the changing of daily routines and frequent dining out can make it a challenge to stick to your goals. Here are some easy tips to help you stay healthy throughout the season without sacrificing your holiday cheer!
Planning ahead before you travel will make healthy decision-making much easier:
1. Pack raw nuts instead of buying roasted and flavored nuts. Nuts can be a healthy snack, but at most airports and roadside stores, you can only find flavored nuts. When nuts are roasted and coated with various flavorings, they lose a lot of their nutritional value and add excess sugar and salt to your day. Look to raw almonds or cashews for a great snack on the go.
2. Traveling with a protein bar is a great trick to avoid reaching for the empty calories of candy. Before you leave for your trip, make sure you pack several bars – especially for long layovers. The Herbalife24 ACHIEVE Protein bar is a great tasting option that provides 20 grams of high quality whey and milk protein to help you make it through a long travel day.
3. Rather than relying on dried fruit, throw a couple of apples or pears in your bag before you head to the airport. They travel well and ensure you will always have a healthy snack! While dried fruit can sometimes be a good choice, oftentimes the kind you find at airports are packed with added sugar.
4. If you crave sweets, pack a 70% cacao dark chocolate bar instead of grabbing a candy bar at the airport. Chocolate that is at least 70% cacao has known health benefits that you can’t get from candy! While you still want to watch your portions, a few squares of dark chocolate is a great way to curb the sugar cravings!
Once you’ve made it to your destination, the holiday party spread can seem overwhelming. By avoiding some foods and focusing on others, you can get through the holiday season without adding any inches to your waistline.
Here are some holiday staples to avoid:
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