BeeHealthy
Univera offers tips on getting healthy in the new year

With the holiday season coming to a head, many people have likely spent the last month sidestepping healthy diets. The holiday parties, including upcoming New Year’s Eve bashes, are filled with tasty goodies that are high in fat and calories.

The holidays are likely wreaking havoc on your waistline if you didn’t couple the added calories with extra exercise. In fact, most people gain about a pound during the winter holidays, and the extra weight can add up over the years, according to a 2000 study in The New England Journal of Medicine.

But holiday-goers, take heed: You can make moves to get back on the healthy-living track, whether you start with the Christmas or New Year’s Eve party or with your 2007 resolutions.

Univera Healthcare offers the following tips for people trying to do just that:

. Carb Alert: Be mindful of carbohydrate-heavy holiday foods, including mashed potatoes, stuffing, biscuits and sweet potato casseroles. Remember that your plate should include protein, carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables.

“If you want to sample all the carbohydrate dishes, try to have a small serving of each,” said Wendy Besio, program coordinator for Health Risk Reduction for Univera Healthcare. “But remember, all of your samplings should add up to just one serving (1 to 1.5 cups).”

Healthy Treats: If you are hosting a party, offer options that are low in fat and calories. If you are attending a party, bring a healthy dish like a vegetable tray. Besio suggested that people go to foodnetwork.com and explore the “Get Healthy” recipes.

Pre-party Snack: Before attending your New Year’s Eve party, have a high-fiber snack, such as an apple or a small green salad with a large glass of water. That way you won’t be starved at the party and gorge on unhealthy foods.

Skip the Butter: Instead of using butter and oil to add flavor to your food, try dried seasonings such as oregano and crushed red pepper, which don’t contain any fat or calories. Remember that applesauce is a good substitute for butter and oil in some recipes.

 Think Small: During and after the holidays, try to eat small and frequent meals/snacks throughout the day. This will keep your body satisfied and prevent the urge to overindulge. Instead, you’ll be hungry but not famished for the next meal.

Univera Healthcare also offers free online tools for anyone interested in healthy living through its award-winning, weight-management program Take Steps, available at www.takesteps.univerahealthcare.com. The goal of Take Steps is to get people to take simple steps to improve their health.