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.
Here are a few ideas on some foods you should avoid during the holiday season, and we’re going to break down what exactly they are and why.
1. Store Bought Gravy
If you decide on using gravy for your turkey, you may want to opt for making your own, homemade version. Whether it's from a can, a jar or a packet, 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. Here's a promising recipe from Dr. Axe.
2. 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 (maybe) bad fats. Instead of indulging in these high-sugar, high-(bad) fat desserts, you can find healthier options. Here's a really exciting recipe I'm excited to try. You'll need to make the Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies first for the pie crust. (Yum!). Then you're going to make a Chocolate Avocado Banana Silk Pie. They'll never believe it's avocados that makes it so creamy!
3. Eggnog
‘Tis the season, right? Sorry to be the lump of coal and say that store-bought eggnog is something you should avoid this holiday season if you want to be healthy. You can whip up your own version of it at home. Here's a great recipe from Super Healthy Kids.
4. Canned Cranberry Sauce
Canned cranberry sauce usually contains high fructose corn syrup. This is bad for your liver and your uric acids levels. There are plenty of easy recipes out there using fresh, organic cranberries that will be so much more enjoyable and better for you! Cookie and Kate's recipe looks wonderful!
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 - to your blood sugar and insulin levels, especially. It's blood sugar and insulin that drives fat storage and high cholesterol levels.
Happy Holidays! Share and enjoy these healthier versions of holiday treats with your friends and family this season!