Navigating Holiday Taste Temptations( Nutrition Expert Weighs in on Simple...),Health

Nutrition Expert Weighs in on Simple Strategies that are Tasty and Healthy

WICHITA, Kan., Nov. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- To most people, the start of the holiday season means three things: fun, family and food. With so many parties to attend and so much delicious food to munch on, it can be difficult to maintain your overall health and nutrition while still enjoying the perks of the season.

According to a FranklinCovey Holiday Stress Survey, more than 75 percent of respondents didn't keep to diet and exercise plans during the 2007 holidays, and 62 percent felt unfulfilled and regretful once the season was over. In addition, the National Institutes of Health estimates that the weight people gain during the holiday season adds up year after year and may be a major contributor to heart disease, diabetes and obesity later in life.

It's no secret that sticking to a healthy diet amid all the yuletide celebrating can be a challenge, but it is possible, notes Christine Palumbo, a registered dietitian and member of the American Dietetic Association. "Navigating holiday taste temptations and implementing simple steps into your daily routine, such as parking farther away while gift shopping, will help you stay on the path to a healthy New Year," she says.

Palumbo, who specializes in weight management, heart disease, diabetes and functional foods, offers up more tips for enduring the annual high-risk, indulgent season.

Tips to Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle During the Holiday Season:

-- Start each day with a strategy. During the holiday season, more than any other time of the year, planning is paramount to avoid weight gain. Before the holidays arrive, take the time to evaluate your schedule and plan to incorporate fitness and good nutrition into your routine. Be realistic about your time and what you'll be willing to do or not do.

-- Eat foods that curb the appetite. Foods that are high in protein, like turkey, are perfect during the
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