Reprinted from the Health District's quarterly publication mailed to district residents (Winter 1999)
TOPIC: Lighten Up Your Holidays
 
by chris bachman, rd

Want to kick your holidays off to a healthy start? This year, rather than giving in to the annual tradition of a 5-10 pound weight gain, lighten up your holiday eating and gift giving. It's not as hard as you think!

Making good choices during the holidays doesn't mean you can't have your holiday favorites such as eggnog and pecan pie. Making good choices means balancing treats with lighter, more nutritious fare. The key is moderation. Look over the buffet table or the dinner spread and choose small amounts of the foods you like the best. Round out your plate with vegetables and other filling, fiber-rich foods such as fruit and grains.
Surprise your guests this year with a pumpkin pie made from tofu (recipe) or bring fresh veggies and a healthy yogurt dip or a fresh fruit plate to your next potluck. It's a great way to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into the typically high-fat, high-sugar holiday fare. It's often a welcome sight to other guests hoping to find healthy foods in the holiday mix.

Read on for recipes and information on healthy holiday gifts for everyone on your list!

Another way to encourage healthy holidays is to give healthy gifts. This year, try filling stockings with fruit and nuts instead of chocolates and sweets. Or buy fewer, but more expensive, specialty chocolates to mix with the healthier treats. Remember: balance, variety and moderation are the cornerstones to lifelong healthy eating habits."

Stockings needn't be filled with food at all. Try note cards, stamps, knick-knacks and gift certificates for adults or CDs, yo-yos and stuffed animals for kids.
gifts to give

You can also demonstrate your commitment to healthy foods and traditions by giving gifts that help your friends and family get and stay healthy. Here are a few suggestions:

  • Food Baskets Start with a basket from a craft store and add a healthy cookbook and ingredients for one of the book's recipes. Tie the filled basket with ribbon and you'll have an attractive gift that is sure to please. Build themed baskets such as Chinese cooking, pasta-lovers, hearty soups or quick and healthy meals by finding interesting cookbooks and visiting specialty food shops.
  • Homemade Treats Try making salsa, jellies, or breads to give as gifts to your and office mates instead of traditional cookies and candies. There are a lot recipes for easy, low-fat, cookies and breads in today's cookbooks. To make your homemade goodies attractive, tie the jars or packages with ribbon and hand letter a card to accompany it.
  • Books and Videos Give the gift of health with an exercise video, a healthy cookbook or a book about health and fitness.
  • Hand-made Gift Certificates Make a gift certificate offering to cook a meal for a busy family or a healthy dinner for two of your closest friends.

Recipe for Low-Fat Pumpkin Tofu Pie | Recipe for Harvest Pumpkin Bread