11-22-05

Healthy Eating for the Holidays

Holiday gatherings mean good times with family and friends, but for many people with dietary concerns, parties play havoc with good eating plans.

The good foods associated with holiday meals can become a source of stress for some people on modified diets, if they are trying to lose weight or watch their blood sugar or cholesterol. Erin Paris, registered dietitian at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, offers tips to avoid overeating during the season.

SOUND BITE: ". . .try to avoid buffets, because families sometimes go out to dinner, or at home you might set your food in buffet kind of style. So avoid that situation where you have endless amounts of food available. Always try to socialize in an area where’s not food out, so you’re not tempted to just to grab handfuls here and there. Put your food on a plate. Sit down while you eat it."

Paris advises people to go lightly on foods that are creamy, gooey and fried because of they are very high in calories. She offers these suggestions for healthy food choices.

SOUND BITE: ". . . lean meats -- and a lot of people confuse leans meats with smokey links, hot dogs, corn beef hash, meatballs. I’m talking turkey that doesn’t have visible fat on it or it’s trimmed. Fish would actually be an okay thing, too. If there’s cheese available, just watch – have a couple of slices versus five or six."

Paris says there are no quick fixes to successful dieting, but eating healthy can begin with eating more fruits and vegetables and fewer sauces and toppings. Also getting plenty of exercise will help you keep in better shape. If you have dietary concerns, see your primary care physician or a registered dietitian.