Ideas for Staying Healthy During Festivities
Landover, Md., 2014-11-24 — /EPR Retail News/ — The team of nutritionists from Giant Food of Landover, Md. is offering helpful tips for staying healthy through the holiday season. During a time of year that often calls for numerous holiday parties, large family meals, and get-togethers, Giant’s nutritionists are reminding customers they can stay healthy while still enjoying some of their favorite foods.
Try some of these healthier tips from Giant’s nutritionists at your next holiday party:
- If you go to a party on an empty stomach, you will most likely end up eating more than you actually need or even really want. Instead, plan ahead. If you have a party that night, don’t skip meals in anticipation. Choose a high protein breakfast and a snack of lean protein, fruits and vegetables beforehand. Also, stay hydrated by drinking 8 to 16 ounces of water.
- Move your body. Find an activity your family loves and do it before your big meal. Or, schedule in an extra half hour of exercise the morning of a party.
- Allow yourself small portions or tastes of your favorite dishes. Choose a small cocktail-size plate for appetizers and limit yourself to one plate.
- No small plate? Try using a napkin. You will only be able to fit enough food into the palm of your hand—ideal when you hit the sweets table.
- Attending a cocktail party? Try to go for fruit and vegetable trays or lean meat options such as chicken skewers. Watch out for dips, sauces and anything fried, crunchy or crispy.
- For dinner events, follow the MyPlate.gov guidelines. Make half your plate fruit and vegetables. One quarter of your plate can be a scoop of a starch such as mashed potatoes, rice or sweet potatoes. The rest of your plate should be lean protein (roast turkey, filet mignon, baked ham, etc.)
- Contribute to the food table. This way, you can ensure that there is an item or two you can eat without guilt. Make a salad; bring fresh cut fruit, or a “lightened up” version of your favorite holiday side dish or appetizer.
- Slow down at the buffet. It takes your brain about 20 minutes to recognize fullness.
- Move your socializing away from the buffet or sweets table. Out of sight, out of mind.
- Satisfy your sweet tooth with the three bite dessert rule. Choose a small piece, take three bites, and savor each bite.
- Make a plan for the day after a big party of meal so you can get back on track quickly.
And if you’re the one in the kitchen, there are a number of simple swaps you can use in preparing your holiday favorites.
- Use low fat dairy products.
- Instead of oil use applesauce or ground flax.
- Try ground turkey and turkey bacon.
- Replace an egg with 1 Tablespoon ground flaxseed and 3 Tablespoons water in your baking dishes.
- Use spices or herbs instead of salt to flavor food.
- Add vegetables whenever you can. Try pureed butternut squash in mac and cheese and cauliflower in mashed potatoes.
For more healthy tips visit www.giantfood.com/live-well or stop into your local Giant Food to pick up the free holiday edition of Healthy Ideas Magazine.
Editor’s note: If interested in an interview with one of Giant’s nutritionists about navigating parties or healthy holiday entertaining, please contact David Bahr at (202) 414-0773 or dbahr@susandavis.com.
About Giant Food
Giant Food LLC, headquartered in Landover, Md., operates 170 supermarkets in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia, and employs approximately 20,000 associates. Included within the 170 stores are 156 full-service pharmacies. Giant opened the first supermarket in the nation’s capital on February 6, 1936. Giving back to the community is a cornerstone that was instilled by the founders more than 77 years ago. The company’s core areas of giving include hunger, education, health and wellness, and supporting service members and military families. In 2012, Giant’s monetary and in-kind contributions exceeded $12 million, and the nation’s capital grocer helped partners provide 55.2 million meals. For more information on Giant, visit www.GiantFood.com.
MEDIA CONTACT: Jamie Miller
(301) 341-8776
jmiller@giantfood.com
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