Feast on These Healthy Holiday Foods
By Sara Butler
The period of time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s is a time of celebration – and it’s also a time of eating. According to the National Institutes of Health, people gain an average of one to two pounds this time of the year. That may not seem like a lot, but people also tend to keep the weight on, which means after a few years you’re talking major weight gain. If you’re interested in maintaining a healthy weight all year long, then consider loading up your holidays with these healthier foods.
Turkey
Turkey is lean and full of protein, so you should go ahead and feel good about this baked meaty treat. A serving of turkey has more than protein too, it also has:
- Folic acid
- Vitamin B
- Zinc
- Potassium
The nutrients in turkey can help to protect your body from certain cancers, high cholesterol, and heart disease. It also can help to support a healthy immune system. Not bad for that old bird Benjamin Franklin wanted instead of an eagle.
Sweet Potatoes
This orange tuber is one of the healthiest vegetables you can have on your holiday table. As long as you don’t drench them in butter or marshmallows, that is! Sweet potatoes on their own provide you with fiber, potassium, and Vitamin A. They also are full of phytochemicals, which are essential to help you fight off cancer, arthritis, and aging. Plus, they’re filling, so a little goes a long way!
Pumpkin
The holidays may not seem like the holidays without a slice of pumpkin pie, and that may be one of the most responsible dessert choices you can make. Pumpkin is packed with Vitamin A and fiber. Plus, it’s naturally moist, so you don’t have to add a lot of things to it to keep it low in added fat. It’s for more than just pie, too. As with any squash, you can enjoy its orange flesh roasted with a little olive oil or even make a soup out of it.
Pecans
This might sound a little nuts, but pecans are really good for you. You may want to steer clear of the pecans that come in a pie, but the nut itself is full of magnesium, protein, fiber, and Vitamin E. The fats contained in these nuts are of the good variety, so they’ll keep you feeling full and satisfied well after dinner has ended.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.