5 Foods to Avoid During the Holiday Season

So the holidays are here and we are once again about to indulge with all of the amazing food that characterizes the season. But how can we still enjoy our favorite meals without putting on the weight we have managed to keep off the entire year? Read on to see the foods to avoid during the holiday season and the ones you can go for without feeling guilty.

1. Turkey Skin – Although turkey is high in protein, the skin is mainly made up of fat… saturated fat, which is unhealthy and extremely caloric. Make sure you avoid eating the skin and only go for the white meat.

2. Sweet Potatoe Casserole with Marshmallows – Yes, sweet potatoes are da bomb; a complex carbohydrate packed with vitamin A and lots of fiber, but the problem is when we mix it with marshmallows, buttermilk and maple syrup. These are packed with added sugar and fat, adding on more calories to your turkey day.

3. Cranberry Sauce – Cranberries have lots of vitamin C, but when we eat them as a sauce, we must add sugar, and a lot of it, to make sure it becomes like a jam. Try and stay away from this option and go for greens and veggies!

4. Stuffing – We all love this part of the turkey, but most stuffing is made with bread and cured meats high in saturated fat. There are other options that can be used as substitutes to reduce the calories and increase the nutritional value. Try stuffing in quinoa, dices apples, walnuts and raisins or cranberries.

5. Pumpkin Pie – If you can and have the determination, stay away from pumpkin pie… or well, all pies! These have lots of sugar, saturated fat and little protein. If you add the fact that most of them have whipped cream, then it becomes a super high dense food with empty calories that will add on the pounds.

My recommendation is to go for the white part of the turkey, which is high in proteins and low in fats, and be wise when you choose the sides. Make sure you include some fresh salads with greens or even veggies that are high in fiber and low in fat and carbohydrates. These can be done grilled or even roasted to add some more flavor and still keep it healthy and balanced. You can also add a side such as mashed potatoes or even the sweet potato casserole but make sure you avoid the marshmallows. The idea is to enjoy the meal but make it as healthy as possible without compromising too much of the holiday spirit!