Tips for Healthier Holiday Celebrations

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The holiday season is all about celebration but traditional high-calorie holiday dishes combined with cold winter temperatures can tempt even the healthiest families to overindulge.

Fortunately, there are many easy ways to make your family’s celebrations healthy, without sacrificing tradition or quality time.

1. Make Seasonal Favorites Guilt-Free with Substitutes

Trim extra fat and calories from your holiday meal by replacing certain ingredients with lighter, low-fat substitutes.

For creamy soups, Joan Salge Blake, registered dietitian and Boston University professor, suggests replacing heavy cream with a mixture of evaporated milk and skim milk. The creamy texture will still be present, but in a more nutritious way.

Potatoes are a staple during holiday food but why not opt for low-carb options like cauliflower or cabbage latkes? Wiping the frying pan with a paper towel soaked in oil is another way to make this holiday staple healthier. 

“The interesting thing about holidays is that we rely on traditional recipes. But you can tweak them and it will still taste like grandma’s sweet potato casserole,” Blake says. “It might even taste better.”

2. Be Selective and Have Smaller Portions

“Become a food snob during these parties,” Blake says. “Go for the things that are unique, not the same old cheddar cheese.”

You can also be health conscious when hosting a holiday party. Try serving the meal in courses. If the dinner is spaced out, people will be less likely to eat fast or overeat.

Blake also recommends making individual desserts rather than a large pie or cake. This will remove the temptation to eat leftovers after your guests have left.

3. Exchange Gifts that Encourage Healthy Living

Avoid giving food as a gift. Instead, give a coupon that is redeemable for one home-cooked, healthy meal. This way, the recipient can enjoy good food and the pleasure of your family’s company.

For children, something as simple as a jump rope can be a great gift. Not only is it fun, 15 minutes of jumping rope can burn up to 120 calories. It’s also a great way to incorporate exercise into your kids’ routines.

4. Trade Car Trips for Walks

Most neighborhoods are glittering with holiday lights during the early winter months. Instead of touring the neighborhood displays in the car, bundle your family up and set out on foot. Integrating a little physical activity into a classic holiday pastime will make it seem different and refreshing.

5. Get Creative Indoors

“Set up your own indoor obstacle course or a healthy-habit scavenger hunt,” says Tracy Glynn, owner and head coach of FamilyFitnessCoach.com. “[You can] provide clues to have kids find easy-to-use fitness equipment and healthy snack items.”

Another great, inexpensive way to be active as a family is to check out fitness programs at your local library. The Golden Gate Valley Branch Library in San Francisco, California offers yoga classes for children and their parents. The class focuses on teaching parents to connect with their children through yoga and includes warm-up activities, body stretches, movement and basic yoga poses.

If your library doesn’t have a program like yoga, see what exercise DVDs or resources are available instead.