Our health care providers in mid-Missouri know how healthy habits can go out the window during the holiday season. But they don’t have to! At Central Ozarks Medical Center we know that with just a few adjustments in your mindset and your behavior, you can make a big difference in keeping up with your health this time of the year. If you’ve been working with your primary care doctor at the Lake of the Ozarks to develop a healthier lifestyle, we don’t want you to get discouraged during the holidays. So, we thought we would share three tips with you that may help you maintain those healthy habits regardless of the season.
1) Eat well.
This time of the year it is really easy to get in a grab and go (or sit and graze) mode when it comes to eating. Then we sometimes try to compensate by skipping meals or starving, which can actually make things worse. Your best bet is to eat regularly, include some healthy snacks, and focus on fiber. Fiber is not only healthy, it is also very filling. There are several easy ways to get fiber in your diet. For instance, skip the fruit juice and have a piece of fruit instead. You will most likely be avoiding added sugar and getting the fiber that will fill you. Look for ways to add fiber, like adding fruit and nuts to your yogurt or oatmeal, or vegetables to your scrambled eggs or sandwiches, etc. Look for whole-grain bread and cereals, and whole wheat flour instead of white flour. Don’t peel your vegetables and fruits, the skins have extra fiber. Beans also have a lot of fiber, so add those to soups and salads, etc. when you have a chance. Think about air-popped popcorn instead of chips and processed crackers. There are more ways than we realize to add fiber and more benefits that most of us know.
2) Focus on fun rather than food.
It is really easy to allow all of your holiday activities to revolve around food. But we’re just a little shift of mindset and focus, you can avoid a lot of empty calories and have fun too! Instead of baking cookies with the kids, why not do crafts instead? Or better yet, go for a walk! Play some outdoor games in the yard. Maybe have a dance-off, or races, or break out the hula hoop! Volunteer to help in the community. When you substitute activities for food, you’re not only burning calories rather than gaining them, but you’re also making memories!
3) Watch what you drink.
Most of us don’t focus on eating healthy when we drink alcohol, and we know that alcohol has calories that we don’t need. But we can balance it out by remembering to drink a glass of water for every alcoholic drink you have. Even when you’re not indulging with alcohol, it’s good to stay focused on your water intake and make sure you’re staying hydrated. It will help fill you up and fight off fatigue!
Enjoy the holidays without regret!
Our healthcare providers in mid-Missouri are so proud of their patients who try to focus on their health, especially this time of the year. We went to encourage you and help you in any way that we can. At Central Ozarks Medical Center, it was our mission to improve the health of the communities that we serve by providing access to quality healthcare regardless of financial status. We know that it’s not just what we do with how we do it that makes a difference. For all your health care needs in central Missouri, we are here for you. Healthy holidays, from everyone at COMC! To stay up-to-date on all of our latest tips and information, we invite you to follow us on social media using the links below.
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Serving Camdenton, Laclede, Pulaski, and Miller Counties