SHANNON URTNOWSKI
Living Editor
The holiday season is right around the corner, and that means feelings of fright, offerings of thanks and celebrations of faith are going to be plentiful in the coming weeks. They are not the only things, though. Holiday goodies will be high in demand.
Though holidays like Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas are characterized by good (but somewhat bad) foods, by following these helpful tips you can take these traditional favorites and make them easier for your taste buds and wasteline to love. You will not need to keep your wrinkly sweat pants close at hand this year because change is in the air — it is not too late to make the most of your health.
So, take a deep breath and do not overreact. Eating right is not strictly about munching on carrots and celery sticks — it is all about balance.
Smart choices can be made from all seven categories within the food pyramid, according to healthyfridge.org. By staying conscious of what you are eating, you are less likely to go overboard.
Here are some helpful tips that should get you started on the right foot.
First and foremost, for your rounds around the block at Halloween, which is only days away, remember that gum drops and yogurt covered raisins are among the healthier of treats. Granola bars are also quite nutritious, and they are really good if you just give them a chance. Do not hesitate to grab a few extra of these while out and about.
When choosing a meat selection for your holiday dinners this year, stay away from fatty cuts of beef. Instead, chose lean poultry or fish dishes. Turkey is also comparatively lean, so go ahead gobble down this traditional American favorite guilt-free.
Substituting skim milk for whole milk can cut your calorie intake in half, as well. This will be good to keep in mind when brewing hot chocolate for winter gatherings around the fireplace.
For those of you who are perfectly satisfied with your current weight and not concerned about gaining any more this season, be aware that eating right is also important to staying energized throughout the day and preventing insomnia.
Studies have shown that certain carbohydrates and fruit juices, such as beans, grain bread and bananas, can promote sleep, something most students are lacking during their college years.
Those of you who want to stock up on healthy food choices before the temptation of the season arrives, there are a number of local stores you can visit.
Ralphs in the Malibu Colony Plaza has an aisle filled with healthy options, such as raisins and rice cakes, so it is a great local place to start attacking your shopping list.
For harder-to-find healthy items, there are a few health stores in Malibu that cater to this need.
Students can visit Country Natural Food Store at 415 S. Topanga Canyon Blvd., John’s Garden Fresh at 3835 S. Cross Creek Road or Pacific Coast Greens at 22601 W. Pacific Coast Highway for a number of natural and organic items, vegetarian-friendly choices and lean deli selections.
Don’t be sucked into the whirlwind of the holiday season this year — just be smart when making your nutrition choices.
Just think — watching what you eat now will help make your New Year’s resolution list this year a lot shorter (and a lot easier to keep).
10-26-2006