How to eat healthy during the holidays

Christmas is coming and so is New Years.

Here are tips to help you enjoy healthy eating this holiday season:

• Use half the butter, shortening, or oil for baked goods and replace the other half with unsweetened applesauce, mashed banana, or prune puree.

• Try replacing sugar with the natural sweetener stevia, which works in many applications, and add spices such as cinnamon, vanilla, or nutmeg.

• Consider braising, broiling, grilling, or steaming instead of frying, if you are making an appetizer or larger dish.

• Eat smaller portions if fried foods are served at a party or dinner you attend.

• Eat a healthy breakfast for overall health and to help you avoid sweet treats that are served at work and parties.

• Stock up on healthy snacks at work such dried or fresh fruit and veggies and nuts. If you have access to a refrigerator, consider low-fat yogurt, low-fat cheese slices, or cottage cheese. Healthy snacks will leave you feeling satisfied and less likely to visit the holiday treat table more than once at work.

• Focus on maintaining your regular eating habits during the holidays with a few extra treats here and there. Take time to plan and set-up a realistic expectation for yourself.

• Don't forget that you’ll usually find a tray full of carrots, cauliflower, celery, and other healthy snacks among the platters of cookies. No matter where you are, you always have choices.

Good luck with healthier holiday eating. It takes effort to keep up a healthy eating holiday plan, but it’s easier than losing five to 10 pounds in January.

Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist