Thursday, November 15, 2012

Have a Healthy Holiday

It’s that time again –ready or not here comes the holiday season and from Halloween on everyone will be planning, partying and paying.  The pace will be frantic, the festivities will be endless and more than likely the foods we eat will be not be the best for our figures and our health in general.  Completely restricting yourself from holiday foods is not the answer because food is part of holiday traditions. Tooth decay and periodontal disease are not only affected by what we eat, but by the frequency of eating. Your dental health and your overall health can take a beating if you don’t pay attention to what you are eating and drinking.
 So what can you do to prevent blowing an entire year of mostly healthy eating for a few weeks of craziness? Try these healthy holiday guidelines to protect your dental health and overall health:
1. Drink 1-2 glasses of water before every holiday party.  Eat a small snack at home before you leave so you don’t arrive thirsty and too hungry.
2. Eat protein before every sugary treat. Eating simple carbs on an empty stomach can cause your blood sugar to skyrocket.
3. Eat before you drink alcohol. The food lessens the impact of the alcohol in your system.
4. Choose smaller portions of your favorite treats rather than making all sweets off limits.
5. Make nuts, berries, beans, lentils, and salads part of your daily holiday menu and look for these types of foods at every holiday party.
6.  Don’t forget  your vitamins and other supplements to ensure a healthy immune system.
7. Finally, brush, brush, brush and if you can’t -  at least rinse your mouth after every sugary snack or  drink especially before you go to bed. 
 Happy Holidays!!