8 Days of Healthy Living

This year the first day of Hanukkah and Christmas Eve fall on the same day (as do the last day of Hanukkah and New Year’s Day). You can bet we’ll be surrounded by more food than we can imagine during that that week, but just because we are, it doesn’t mean we can’t stay on track with our health goals. It can be difficult at times, but it’s not impossible! So, to celebrate both holidays, we’re giving you tips to live healthy over the 8 days of Hanukkah and the week between Christmas and the New Year holiday!

Eat breakfast

This is pretty common knowledge these days, but it’s still valid! You shouldn’t ever skip breakfast, but especially not during the holidays. Eating healthier foods (high protein and fiber foods) in the morning over the holiday week will burn off slower than other foods, giving you more energy throughout the day. That can translate to eating less during the evening when we tend to eat bigger holiday meals.

Healthy snacking

We’re constantly surrounded by goodies and treats over the holiday season. It’s easy to lose track of health goals when there are pies, cookies, and other sweets being passed around. And then we have to worry about leftovers from parties! It’s easy to snack on those leftovers during the day, but having healthier snacks, like almonds or pumpkin seeds, can stave off hunger in between meals and help you fight digging into those sweets!

Easy on the alcohol

Not only are alcoholic drinks usually high in calories, they may also cause you to eat more calories than you had anticipated. You might consider planning ahead before family or holiday gatherings. For instance, tell yourself that you will only drink one glass of red wine, or instead, sip on a mineral water and curb your cravings. Skipping alcohol altogether is the best choice for your health and body.

Everything in moderation

We know you’ve heard it before, but it’s worth repeating. Everything in moderation is a great tip to remember during this holiday week when food is the focal point of just about every gathering. Limiting foods that aren’t good for you in between the holiday work party, your family gatherings, and any New Year plans can help support that moderation.

Get Sleep

No matter what holiday you celebrate, chances are there are days when you lose some sleep. Whether it’s shopping for the right gifts, cooking for the meal, or just too much excitement, we’ve all lost some shut-eye. Getting enough sleep is an important part of living a healthy lifestyle. Try putting electronics away before you get into bed and attempt at winding down slowly. This is easier said than done, but if you make that attempt, you can be rested, and at your best for the whole week between Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year’s!

The holidays are a joyous occasion! Family, friends, and food are always the staples, and you don’t have to fear food. Just remember, it’s a time to enjoy yourself, but if you take the right steps you won’t have any regrets when it comes to picking your New Year’s resolution. You’re more than just a customer to us, you’re a part of our Utzy family, and we want to help you be at your healthiest every day of the year!