You Can't DENY- Holiday Food is Tempting!

You definitely cannot deny the fact that the Holiday's are full of tasty, tempting and high calorie foods!  The Holidays are a time to celebrate and food is one of the pleasures of family gatherings, parties with friends and office get-togethers.  Just because you are trying to stick with a healthy eating pattern does NOT mean that you have to avoid ALL of these fun holiday celebrations and foods!  

In fact denying yourself of your favorite holiday foods can end up coming back to bite you in (well any place that packs on the fat!).  Depriving yourself of foods that you want or feeling guilty about eating them will most likely increase your cravings for those foods.  Cravings increase your risk of over indulging in foods and we all know that over indulging means extra calories and extra pounds.  All foods, even those traditional holiday treats, can fit into a healthful eating plan for the calorie conscious. The secret is moderation and balance.  So, don't deny yourself those special holiday treats, just eat them in moderation and stay aware of how often you are eating them.  Balance those foods with healthy foods and plenty of exercise (maybe even a little extra during the holidays!).  Your waist line will thank you for it later.

Are there Better Options if a Vending Machine is My Only Food Option for a Snack?

We all need to refuel between meals and for some a vending machine at work or school may be the only option.  The key is to choose foods that provide some type of nutritional value instead of just calories.  Try to look for foods that may be lower in fat, sodium and sugar as well.

Here are some suggestions:

• Small bag of pretzels, peanuts, almonds or trail mix

• Light microwave popcorn

• Whole-wheat crackers with peanut butter or cheese

• Whole grain granola or cereal bars

• Graham or animal crackers

• 100% fruit or vegetable juice

• Water

• Dried fruit such as raisins, cranberries, apricots

• Microwaveable soup or oatmeal

You best bet is to come prepared and have your own healthy snack packed with you but if you find yourself unprepared there are always better nutritional choices you CAN make!