Healthy Eating Tips for Surviving the Holidays

For many people, December is one of the busiest times of the year. Between the office parties, family get-togethers, and holiday meals with friends, it seems like there are extra indulgences around every corner, combined with less time to make healthy choices. When you are hosting or bringing a dish to a celebration, you have an opportunity to make a healthy impact on those around you and yourself.
Here are some helpful replacements to get through the holidays without gaining weight:
Instead of MASHED POTATOES, choose MASHED CAULIFLOWER 120 calories vs 60 calories
Instead of APPLE PIE, choose BAKED APPLE WITH BUTTER & CINNAMON 170 calories vs 100 calories
Instead of MEATBALLS, choose MINI TURKEY VEGETABLE MEATBALLS 250 calories vs 150 calories
Instead of CHEESE LOG & CRACKERS, choose HUMMUS & VEGETABLES 300 calories vs 170 calories
BALANCE IT OUT Office Parties; Family Get-Togethers; Holiday Meals - Here's how to burn the calories you've indulged in this month:
1 cup eggnog = 225 calories = 45 minutes yoga
1/2 cup stuffing = 180 calories = 36 minutes walking
2 sugar cookies with frosting = 375 calories = 40 minutes Zumba
4 ounces glazed ham = 275 calories = 60 minutes raking leaves
FESTIVE KALE ARTICHOKE DIP Whether you are hosting a holiday get-together at your house or just stocking your refrigerator with healthy food, this lite version of a classic will have you and your guests going back for seconds and NOT feeling guilty! Serve with vegetable crudite instead of chips to make it even healthier. NUTRITION FACTS:
Servings: 6
Calories per serving: 162
Total Fat: 8 g
Saturated Fat: 3 g
Monounsaturated Fat: 2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 3 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 22 mg
Sodium: 464 mg
Potassium: 203 mg
Total Carbohydrate: 10 g
Dietary Fiber: 2 g
Sugars: 4 g
Protein: 10 g
Vitamin A: 76 %
Vitamin C: 94 %
Calcium: 21 %
Iron: 5 %
INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 cups frozen kale, thawed and water squeezed out
1 cup artichoke hearts in water, drained, and chopped
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/2 cup light mayo
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 shallot, chopped
2 red peppers, chopped
INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Mix yogurt, mayo, and cheeses together.
Add garlic & shallots, and then fold in kale, artichoke hearts, and red peppers.
Pour into a baking dish. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until hot and melted.
Serve with multi-grain tortilla chips or crackers, or vegetable crudite.