Spokane Super Foods: How to win the battle of the holiday bulge - Part Two

With the Spokane holidays fast approaching, you may be wondering just how you can enjoy the Thanksgiving banquet but not suffer a bigger waist line later? Surprisingly, many of our favorite holiday foods really aren’t all that pad for us … in proper moderation! Check out the following Spokane Super Foods.

Stuffing

Talk about a healthy food in need of a name change. This fluffy side is often regarded as one of the most fattening holiday dishes, but with only a few minor adjustments it can actually be a healthy standout. Pack it with nuts, dried fruits, carrots, and celery, and you’ll benefit from fiber and a range of vitamins, recommends Krieger. Also, and this is crucial: Use low sodium chicken broth instead of butter to keep the dish moist and low in fat.

Pumpkin

If it’s not Thanksgiving without a slice of pumpkin pie, we’ve got good news for you. This veggie is packed with heart-healthy fiber and vitamin A. Plus, says Krieger, because pumpkin is very moist, you don’t have to add lots of unhealthy ingredients to make it taste flavorful yet still be low-fat (sub in skim and egg substitutes to make any recipe healthier). A guaranteed way to avoid accidentally gorging on a high-fat dessert? Bring your own pie, so you know what’s in it.

Pecans

Prefer pecans to pumpkin? Instead of plunging into a heap of high-fat pie, try sprinkling this star nut over salads, add it to your stuffing, or snack on a few as a precursor to the meal. Pecans are a great source of vitamin E and magnesium, which supports muscle strength. Plus, they’re packed with protein, fiber, and the same “good” fats as olive oil.

Collard Greens

Collards are ultra-healthy — except when sabotaged by greasy fat sources like pork, a popular additive in many holiday recipes. By preparing these leafy greens in a steamer, you’ll leave out the unnecessary calories and gain a ton of vitamins and antioxidants. If you just can’t give up flavoring your greens, use turkey bacon or saute the veggie in olive oil, suggests Krieger.

Nutmeg and Cinnamon

More and more research is being conducted on the health benefits of spices, says Krieger. Nutmeg, with its nutty, earthy flavor, and cinnamon, which shines with its sweetness, can do a whole lot more than garnish eggnog. Mixing these spices into fruit or vegetable sides can help you lower your cholesterol and maintain insulin levels in the blood.

Red Wine

While wine and cocktails can add needless calories to an already over-the-top meal, wine delivers heart-healthy properties in exchange for its calorie count (about 100 calories per 5-ounce serving). All wine is naturally heart-healthy, but red wines will provide the most antioxidant bang for your calorie buck. And take note: the dryer the wine, the higher the concentration of those disease-fighting properties.

To keep your calorie count to a minimum, ask your host for a spritzer — half wine, half calorie-free seltzer water.

And of course the absolute best way to battle the holiday bulge is to work with a personal trainer like Zach Hunt from Physzique Personal Fitness!

Related posts:

1. Spokane Super Foods: How to win the battle of the holiday bulge - Part One With the Spokane holidays fast approaching, you may be wondering just how you can enjoy the banquet but not suffer...
2. Spokane super foods: secret sources of calcium. Most Americans have a calcium deficiency. Calcium is the mineral most critical to achieving and maintaining strong, healthy bones and minimizing...
3. Spokane Bars and Spokane Holiday Parties: a break down of the calories you are drinking! Everyone likes to hang out at Spokane Bars and with friends and family to party this time of year. And...
4. Spokane Fitness Tips: Healthy Foods In Unhealthy Amounts The following foods are considered healthy or clean foods by most, but in the amounts they are eaten by most,...
5. Set Goals Early,Avoid Spokane Holiday Fat! Are your Holidays complete with family, friends,and love handles? Are you dreading  the temptations of food,guilt and Spokane Holiday Fat!...
6. Supplement Your Diet in Spokane with Super Salads     It’s time to supplement your Spokane diet with tasty and nutritional salad fixings.   Think you’re doing...
7. Spokane Holistic Heath Care: How Spokane super supplements can help improve your health and exercise experience. Food today just isn’t what it was 50 years ago. Even the soil we plant in isn’t what it was...