From brokerage parties to CREB^®’s Christmas Holiday Luncheon, ‘tis the season of celebration! To stay on track with your nutrition, CREB^®’s Critical Illness Benefit Society (CIBS) wants to provide your team with tips for a healthy festive season. 

Here are some helpful holiday eating tips from Alberta Health Services to help navigate the winter wonderland eats and treats.

Potlucks and parties

With so many holiday gatherings and events in December, it’s important to have rich meals and desserts in moderation. Try these tips at holiday gatherings: 

• Bring some healthy options to potlucks such as grilled shrimp, chicken satay, raw vegetables and dip, or a fruit tray;
• Choose lower calorie drinks, like virgin Caesars or sparkling water, which will also reduce sugar intake;
• Serve yourself smaller portions and try to fill half of your plate with vegetables and fruit to fill up on the best nutrients; and
• At parties, take time to eat your meal and enjoy the company. Focus on spending time with others and consider sharing desserts.

Hosting at home

Since you are likely busier than usual around the holidays, make sure to have some convenient healthy food options available at home. Give these tips a try:

• Buy washed, cut up vegetables and fruit to make it easier to add them to meals or snacks;
• Try to keep higher calorie food out of sight in your home. This may make you less likely to eat it when you’re not hungry; 
• If there are leftovers from a meal, send them home with guests in decorative holiday containers or package them up for future meals; and
• If you bake ahead of time for the holidays, freeze the baked goods until serving.

For more healthy eating tips and delicious recipes from Alberta Health Services, click here.