While the holidays are a time that brings about joy to many, they can also be filled with stress. Those who have been trying to make some changes to live a healthier life can find this time especially difficult. Fortunately, our team at Integrative Cardiology Center of Long Island is here to help you ensure that you are making healthy choices and staying on track throughout the holiday season!

Enjoy In Moderation

One of the biggest mistakes people make during the holidays is avoiding all the dishes they usually enjoy to stay healthy. Not only is this restrictive, but it can also cause a lot of unwanted stress, leading to other problems. There is no need to skip out on holiday favorites as long as you enjoy them in moderation. By focusing on portion control, you can eat the foods you want without damaging your health or getting set back on your health goals!

Add More Vegetables

If you plan on enjoying some of the unhealthier dishes that come with the holiday season’s festivities, make sure you add in vegetables wherever you can. Not only do vegetables offer great nutritional value, but loading up on them will help to crowd out some of the unhealthier options. Some of the best vegetables for this time of year include:

  • Roasted asparagus.
  • Roasted carrots.
  • Corn.
  • Sweet potatoes.

Meal Plan

The actual holidays themselves are not the only days you need to be concerned about if you want to stay healthy this time of year. All the stress and running around this time of year can bring out unhealthy habits leading up to the holidays and beyond. Many people are likely to eat out more just because they don’t have the time to make themselves food. However, too much fast food is not optimal for your health. One way to combat this is by creating a meal plan. By spending time preparing your healthy meals that only need to be heated up at the start of the week, you’ll be less inclined to make unhealthy choices.  

Stay Active

It is no secret that working out is excellent for both your physical and mental health. However, we understand not everyone has time to fit in many regular workouts right now. Fortunately, you can do plenty of other things to ensure you are staying active, even throughout the busy holiday season.

  • Take walks throughout the day — in the morning, on your lunch break, after dinner, etc.
  • If holiday shopping in-person, park farther away from the store entrance or take some extra laps around malls and shopping centers.
  • Perform bodyweight exercises from the comfort of your own home.
  • Look up free workout classes online, such as Yoga.
  • Do ten pushups or situps every time you walk up or down a flight of stairs in your house.

Contact Us

At Integrative Cardiology Center of Long Island, we’re committed to helping patients stay healthy year-round. However, we understand that achieving and maintaining optimal health can be challenging, especially during the hectic holiday season. Should you need help, we offer a variety of services from nutrition to weight-loss that can help you stay on track year-round! To learn more and to discover how we can help you, be sure to contact us today!