4. Create healthy food traditions.
Much of the holidays are focused on food and many families have special dishes that have become traditions. Those “traditional dishes” are often highly caloric and filled with fat. Grandmother’s sausage stuffing, or Aunt Sara’s cheesy casserole might be a “must” for every holiday meal, but they can also leave you feeling weighed down with unnecessary greases and starches. Instead, Dr. Hes recommends creating new healthier favorites that are reserved only for the holidays and get kids excited to see them on the table. Check out some of these healthy special occasion recipes at Real Healthy Recipes for ideas.
5. Non-Food Activities.
Food may play an important role in the holidays, but adding other fun into the festivities takes the focus off eating. Kids love games, making arts and crafts, decorating the house, acting out stories, and loads of other activities that can involve the whole family. Use the month of December for a 31 Days of Play challenge. Be creative and come up with something that is unique and special to your family’s holiday traditions.
6. Movement.
Get your family moving. It’s great to play outside while the food is cooking, just be sure to bundle your kids up. The whole family can take a brisk walk after a big feast. The kids get a big kick out of carrying flashlights and going out for a walk in the dark! Have games set up at home that the kids can play like jump rope or hula-hoop competitions that they can do indoors.
