Question:
Now that the holidays are upon us, I haven’t been, let’s just say so strict with my diet. I have the task of preparing the holiday meal. How do I make a great meal and keep it on the healthy side. (Sheryl, Garden City)
Answer:
Well, I’m no chef, but I will try and help. Since turkey is the main dish, and it is a healthy lean source of protein, figure that a portion will consist of about ½ to ¾ pound per person. Remove any separable fat from under the skin of the bird. Also, prepare your stuffing using less fat and more vegetables. Serve healthy salads and rainbow array of fruits and vegetables including plain baked sweet potato. Don’t dole out huge portions. Make it a tasting menu like a fancy restaurant!
Regarding dessert, stick to fruit; instead of a cake recipe calling for oil, use natural, unsweetened applesauce or low-fat yogurt.
On Thanksgiving Day make sure to eat breakfast. If you fast, you will eat everything in sight at the meal. Besides breakfast is the most important meal of the day for your physical well-being and stress-management.
To carry you through the holiday season increase your cardio to 15 minutes extra per session. After a big meal like Thanksgiving, take a Thanksgiving walk. Don’t sabotage a whole year for a few tempting weeks. A New Year is coming and so is a new you!
Listen to Frank Mikulka’s Weekly Fitness Tips every week on Debbie Mandel’s Turn On Your Inner Light Show every Tuesday evening from 7:00 to 7:30 pm on WGBB 1240AM. Also available on www.turnonyourinnerlight.com/page3.html
