Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona shows how maintain nutritional goals throughout the holiday season

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona is a paid advertiser of Sonoran Living Live

The holiday season presents endless challenges to anyone trying to live a healthy lifestyle. Not only are we constantly barraged with holiday sweets, but our busier-than-normal schedules mean we're often too busy to exercise and prepare nutritionally balanced meals.

Grant Piotti, from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, offers some advice on how we can maintain our healthy habits through the end of the year.

1)    Drink plenty of water throughout the day. This will help flush excess sodium in holiday foods.
2)    Eat a good breakfast. Skipping this important meal will probably mean that you eat more throughout the day than you otherwise would have.
3)    Have a healthy snack one hour before a holiday party or meal. That way, you'll be less likely to overindulge in the unhealthy stuff.
4)    Wear clothing that is slightly snug to remind you not to overeat.
5)    Use a smaller plate, and be conscious of how much food you put on it. Make vegetables and protein the priority.
6)    Indulge in a few things, but limit your intake of sweets.
7)    Walk away from the buffet once you've finished eating to avoid snacking.
8)    Keep your focus on family and friends, instead of food.

The holidays are a great time to celebrate with loved ones. But that doesn't mean that the healthy habits we've spent the rest of the year cultivating have to fall by the wayside. If you're serious about maintaining nutritional and exercise goals, put a plan in place and stick to it!

You might not be successful 100 percent of the time, but that's okay. One meal out of many won't make too big a difference. If you find yourself wavering, look at that cookie or slice of pie and ask yourself, "Will this take me a step closer to my goal or one step further away from it?"  


*This is not a medical recommendation, anyone with concerns or questions about their health should contact their physician. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona is an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.


Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona is a paid advertiser of Sonoran Living Live