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Make it a Healthy Holiday Season |
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With the Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Eve and all the other holiday parties, we need to be more focused than ever on staying healthy. Here are a few tips to help ward off those extra pounds during these holidays: Be sure to get plenty of sleep, add one or two glasses of water to your normal daily amount, and try to add 10-15 minutes to each of your exercise sessions.
Unhealthy drinks to avoid:
The best way to minimize empty calories this holiday is to limit sugary and alcoholic drinks, or avoid them all together. But this doesn't mean that you can't enjoy traditional beverages, just be sure to moderate your intake of sugars and alcohol, and drink water throughout the duration of the party to keep hydrated.
Eggnog: Made with milk, cream, sugar, and eggs, eggnog can pack up to 460 calories in an 8-ounce serving - not including added alcohol. Think of it as an indulgent dessert, and limit yourself to one glass during the holidays; sip it slowly to savor the taste.
Other beverages with alcohol: Watch your overall alcohol consumption during the holidays, not only are they high in calories, but there are other detrimental effects to your health. Be especially aware of beverages that contain added sugars, creams and other unhealthy fats, such as:
- White Russians. This cream-and-Kahlua concoction can have as much as 350 calories in a six-ounce serving.
- Hot buttered rum. Hot melted butter, rum and brown sugar make this holiday classic top out at 350 calories per eight-ounce serving.
- Tom and Jerry. A hot version of eggnog, this combination of eggs, milk, rum and spices has between 340 and 460 calories per eight-ounce serving.
Healthier drink options:
Sparkling non-alcoholic punch. The calories can vary, but most holiday punch can easily be diluted with additional sparkling water to reduce calories and sugars. If you are making your own punch at home, use unsweetened cranberry juice concentrate.
Red wine. The antioxidant activity of red wine has been linked to heart health benefits, reduced stress, and even preserving memory. Limit yourself to a six-ounce glass, which typically has about 120 calories.
Hot tea. A cup of hot tea combined with lemon and honey, is not only soothing, but also provides some vitamin C thanks to the lemon juice.
Champagne. This celebratory drink has about 90 calories in a four-ounce glass.
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