Do you hear "holiday" and think, Yippee! Two gym-free weeks and all the eggnog I can drink? While it's true this hectic season is the perfect excuse to let your healthy goals slide, there are easy ways to hold onto them without sacrificing fun. Follow these simple tips - to help you watch your waistline, get a good night's sleep and avoid seasonal aches and pains - and you'll head into the new year with resolutions that don't involve damage control!
Don't gain a pound!
Escape the aroma Holiday baking can produce some pretty irresistible smells. Prevent nibbling by chewing gum, suggests Vancouver-based registered dietitian Leah Cameron. And avoid too much taste-testing by leaving the room while your freshly baked goods cool!
Rebuff the buffet The best way to prevent overeating at a bountiful buffet is to get away from it, says registered dietitian Heather McColl of Vancouver. Take your plate to another room or chat with friends in an opposite corner. When you've finished eating, get rid of your plate so you can't return for seconds.
Pass on edible gifts Can't resist those delectable chocolates you always get from your boss? Remove temptation and save some dough by regifting them. Or, better yet, donate the treats to a food bank, says Cameron. The community (and your thighs) will thank you!
Sip cider Alcohol can seriously affect your willpower and sabotage your efforts to eat (and drink!) sensibly. So drink hot cider, says Cameron. Although it's not much lower in calories than alcohol, you'll consume less because you have to sip it.
Skip the party rounds Ever notice that most parties revolve around food? Break the trend by planning a non-eating event, says McColl. Take friends or family shopping or skating. You'll have fun - and burn calories!
Shandley McMurray
Seasonal superfoods
Yup, some of the season's tastiest foods are also nutritious. Check out how these wonders can help you combat a cold, ward off stomach ulcers and even reduce stress.
Ward off a cold with...clementines
Bite into these juicy oranges to get potassium, folate and fibre. "They're also an excellent source of vitamin C," says Areli Hermanson, a registered dietitian for the Vancouver Island Health Authority - great for zapping colds. Bonus: one clementine rings in at just 35 calories!
Fight an ulcer with...cranberries
Drink cranberry juice with club soda every day and you could cut back your risk of stomach ulcers by 14 per cent, reports a study by the Beijing Institute for Cancer Research.
Beat stress with...turkey
You may feel better after eating turkey because it contains the amino acid tryptophan. "It's an important precursor to the brain chemical serotonin," says Susan Finkelstein, a public health nutritionist for York Region Health Services in Ontario. "Serotonin is known for regulating mood and enhancing feelings of calmness."
Protect your heart with...chestnuts
Chestnuts are a tasty snack - and a low-fat one (compared to other nuts), thanks to their high water and low oil content. They also contain heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, says Finkelstein. Just don't eat more than a handful; they're a high-carb snack!
Calm a stomach ache with...peppermint
Sip a mug of peppermint tea for all kinds of stomach relief, including gas and menstrual pains. Just the smell of peppermint may also increase your attention span and performance, according to a study from Wheeling Jesuit University in West Virginia.
