Twelve Foods for a Healthy Christmas

It is already a cliché to blame the holiday season for some extra pounds gained. Never make it an excuse to lose focus on your fitness goals and to gobble on anything you see on the dining table. That short span of negligence can waste all your exercise efforts, time spent at the gym, and your hcg shots.

Christmas is just around the corner so here’s a list of healthy food to keep you company on your 12 days of Christmas:

Oats

Holiday mornings should not prevent you to start your day right and eat what will give you might. Oats give you the energy you need for the day and lower your cholesterol absorption. Scoop some oats to your breakfast bowl for a filling yet cleansing meal.

Fish

Why not eat the catch of the day for lunch? A good portion of salmon, herring, sardine, or any other fatty fish can work wonders in preventing you from acquiring heart disease, dementia, and also stabilize your cholesterol level.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is full of heart-healthy fatty acids as compared to other cooking oils and helps in trimming belly fat. Store a bottle or two of olive oil and make it your kitchen staple for easy-to-make salad dressings, and marinating or roasting ingredient.

Beans

Want to focus on your daily fiber needs? The abundance of fiber content makes beans a key to slower cholesterol absorption. Look for black, kidney, or pinto beans in the vegan corner of your grocery store.

Spinach

There is a reason why a classic “strong man” cartoon character are munching cans of spinach. This popular green can boost your energy and also rich in lutein that prevent age-related macular degeneration. You can use a batch of fresh spinach for salads or side dish.

Nuts

Cracking a healthy portion of nuts can lower your cholesterol level and keep you stay sharp. Eat a shot glass and a half for a quick snack while doing your walking exercises.

Chocolate

If you are on a diet, yet they are serving chocolate for Christmas desserts, go for the dark chocolate or the bittersweet ones. These chocolate varieties contain higher antioxidants that prevent blood platelets from sticking together, which is the main reason for clogged arteries.

Garlic

If you want a spice that is full of some things that are nice, go for a clove or two of garlic. Aside from making dishes more alive, this spice can lower cholesterol, prevent blood clots, reduce blood pressure, and give protection from infections.

Tea

Tea is a widely known source of cancer-fighting antioxidants and good at blocking bad cholesterols. Black tea has been shown to reduce blood lipids and help in weight loss.

Margarine

You can still spread margarine on your toast, but make sure it has plant sterols. Margarines with such are a healthier option and make it a little guilt-free.

Avocado

This fruit has a long list of benefits and a good reputation among dietitians. It is a great source of heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, but a bit high in calories and fat so moderation should also be observed.

Red Wine

Celebration is inevitable this season. A get-together Christmas dinner will not be complete without hearing the clinking wine glasses. Grapes, the main ingredient of wine, contains significant amounts of fiber and antioxidants, which are another reasons to do cheers for good health!

You should not be frustrated by declining holiday dinner invites. Yes, you will be tempted to overeat, but it is up to you to choose the healthier option.  Remember that you can enjoy the season and be jolly without forgetting your goals for a fitter body.