Top 10 Holiday Eating Tips
Most of us emerge from the holiday season looking and feeling like we've been dragged through a hedge backwards. Noshing and boozing - boozing and noshing: an inescapable part of the merrymaking. It's all too easy to procure some extra pounds during this festive two month span, and it seems increasingly difficult to shed them in the bright, shiny new year (despite swearing up and down to do so). My advice is: Do what you can, when you can. In terms of food, do your best to make the smartest food choices possible even against seemingly insurmountable odds. Whether you're out and about or concocting that famous recipe, here are my top tips for damage control during your annual revelry.
1. Pink Himalayan Sea Salt. Forget the Morton's and opt for this mineral-rich alternative.
2. Add some turmeric. It tastes mild and contains curcumin, which helps prevent inflammation.
3. Sweeten with Xylitol. In it's crystal form this natural sweetener tastes and bakes just like sugar.
4. Double up on the veggies. If you're still hungry, instead of that second helping of cheesy potatoes, opt for something green (and I don't mean Jell-O).
5. Cook with coconut oil. Ditch the olive oil, unless you're using it for drizzling cold. Coconut oil can withstand much higher cooking temperatures and will not oxidize like other oils.
6. Choose dark chocolate. This is my favorite thing EVER. Stay in the 85% cacao and above range to get the maximum benefits.
7. Opt for sweet potatoes. They're more nutritious: higher in vitamins and lower on the glycemic index than regular potatoes.
8. Mash your cauliflower. This is a clever alternative to mashed potatoes. Prepare in the same way and soak up the vitamins - and compliments.
9. Melt organic grass-fed butter on everything. You know I'm a big fan of heathy fats - namely butter. I melt it on everything and even put it in my coffee. High heat destroys the nutrients, so stick a slab on your favorite veggies and watch it drip in all it's golden glory.
10. Take a digestive enzyme. Despite your best efforts, you've overindulged in Bacchanalian bliss and your tummy is in need of some assistance.