The holidays are a time to celebrate and connect with family, friends, and community. With busy schedules and many festive foods to choose from, it can be challenging to maintain healthy habits. Fortunately, you don’t have to give up your favorite foods to feel your best this season. Just making small, mindful changes can help you enjoy the holidays while supporting your health and wellness.

Give yourself the gift of better health with these holiday nutrition tips:

• Incorporate colorful fruits and vegetables into your meals. Aim for a variety of colors such as leafy greens, roasted squash, sweet potatoes, and berries to add vitamins, fiber, and flavor to your plate.
• Opt for lean proteins like turkey, chicken, or fish instead of red meat. These options are lower in saturated fat and can help you feel full longer without weighing you down.
• Be mindful of portion sizes. Try serving smaller portions at first, and wait at least 10 minutes before going back for seconds. This gives your body time to register fullness and can help prevent overeating.
• Move your body after meals. A short walk, light stretching, or dancing with family helps with digestion, stabilizes blood sugar, and boosts energy.
• Limit or avoid alcohol consumption. Alcohol adds empty calories and can interfere with sleep and hydration. If you choose to drink, alternate with water or sparkling water to avoid dehydration.

At Whittier Street Health Center, our Food Pantry and Nutrition services are here to help our patients enjoy the holidays in balance. Whether you’re looking for healthy recipes, nutrition counseling, or access to free and fresh groceries, our team is ready to support your journey to better health this season and all year long. To learn more about nutrition services available through our Wellness Institute, please call (617)-858-2421. To learn more about services available through our Food Pantry, please call (617) 989-3152.