Health Tips For the Xmas Period

The Thanksgiving and Christmas period is known for its ability to bust diets, increase waists, and send exercise routines to the couch. But, it doesn't have to be this way.

An article in the December Glamour issue titled "Don't diet - eat!," went through the different drink and food options so that we would know exactly how many calories we were consuming (not exactly information we want to think about while we're having fun, but worthwhile knowledge if we think about the long-run).

So, here's what they said:

Starting at the bar:
- light beer and wine are the best everyday drinks, with just 100 calories each (if you stick to the serving limits - 12-oz. for beer and 4-oz. for wine).

- champagne is the best special occasion drink, with just 85 calories per 4-oz. glass (why they didn't put this as the best everyday drink too, I'm not sure. I drink it year-round and I think it's great because it gives you a good buzz, and in my experience, is less likely than wine to give you a hangover, and also I think it tastes better).

- hot buttered rum is the best Christmas drink, with 220 calories per 8-oz. glass. (As an FYI, eggnog with brandy can pack up to 460 calories).

Now, to the food:

- mashed potato is better than candied sweet potato, because sweet potato often has both the butter and the sweet stuff, so one cup can have up to 500 calories.

- turkey gravy is better than cranberry sauce - 80 calories per half cup, compared to 180 calories. (They didn't say why, but I'm assuming it's because the cranberry sauce is filled with sugar).

- pumpkin pie (270 calories) is better than apple pie (350 calories), which is better than pecan pie (700 calories!).

And here's a few tips of my own:

- Keep up your exercise routine (I know a lot of people go to gyms during the year, and then don't have access to one when they go and visit families). But, in this instance, instead walk or run. I tell everyone to run - and most people basically tell me, "Nah, you're crazy," but they have to admit it is the most convenient form of exercise. All you need is a pair of running shoes, any workout gear, and a good running bra (if you're a girl).

- If you're going to go crazy with the alcohol, go a little easier on the junk food.

- And finally, eat and drink whatever you want on the actual days of celebration, and then try and eat fairly normally on all the in-between days.

Overall though, I say have a good time. I watched an Oprah episode over the summer, and the guest speaker (I think it was Dr. Oz, but I'm not sure), said that the average weight gain over the holiday period is only a pound. Now, that's not even worth worrying about.

So have a Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas!