Ten Ways Not to Be a Stuffed Turkey This Christmas

1. Eat organic wherever possible. 

The turkey that you are admiring in the local grocery store has likely been pumped full of dangerous antibiotics and hormones in order to plump it up.  They are also developed to plump you up.  If you can afford something better, buy it!  Organic tastes so much better than these drug-injected birds.

Recently, a gentleman and I were looking into the freezer case of the local grocery store. There was a brand-new display of utility turkeys that were on sale.  Being the outspoken person that I am, I quipped to him “I wonder what they pumped these turkeys full of?”  They were HUGE!  He and I had a good laugh about it before walking away without a turkey.

2. Include a large salad with the main dinner. 

Whenever I attend a family dinner, I always take the salad.  I have a very simple but yummy salad dressing that everyone enjoys.  Besides being tasty, it is also so much better for you than the commercial, fat-laden ones found on the grocers’ shelves.  I have also found that if I fill up on a salad, I am less likely to fill up on the other fattening foods.

3.  Emphasize lots of vegetables with the main meal

……and I don’t mean just potatoes, corn, peas and carrots.  Try something different this year.  There are lots of wonderful green and root vegetables that are healthy and will make a great addition to the dinner.  If you need recipes, just Google “Bon Appetit” or “Epicurious” for great ideas.

4.  Drink lots of filtered water during the day.  (link – www.ewater.com/drjanet)

Dehydration is an overlooked contributor to stress.  Pangs of hunger may also simply be your body’s cry for water instead.  Drinking lots of water will keep you hydrated throughout the day and make you less-likely to crack open a pop or other sugar-sweet drink.  The aspartame in diet pop is also very dangerous and will make you fat!

5.  Eat a big healthy breakfast.

Skipping breakfast, besides being a diet faux pas, will also make you more tired and add to the stress of the day.  It will also help you to avoid “the starve and stuff syndrome”.  (I just made that up!)  Eating a good breakfast will help you to say no to the appetizers and snack food usually served before the big meal. 

6.  Try your best to stay away from all foods high in sugar, refined carbohydrates, food additives, preservatives and processed.

Read the labels on all food products that you purchase.  If you don’t know what it is, don’t eat it.  All these items are bad for your health will have devastating effects over the long run.

7.  Move!

Exercise for a minimum of 30 minutes per day at least 3 times a week.  Go for a walk, enjoy the outdoors and participate in a sport, get out the Wii and start dancing.  Whatever gets you moving is a good choice.  It will also help to burn off those extra calories.

8.  Take your supplements. 

If you insist on eating a lot of junk, at least you can maintain your health.  Taking nutritional supplements that are right for your blood type is the optimum choice.  They are formulated specifically for your specific requirements.  Don’t know your blood type?  Call me at 705-743-2755.

9.  Practise relaxation exercises or meditation. 

These will go a long way to reduce stress.  They will also help you to avoid over-eating and to maintain an overall good feeling about yourself.  Reading a good book will also distract you away from the fridge.  I’ve found a fabulous site where you can download audios for your iPod or MP3 player.  The first one is FREE too!  Amazon, audible podcast

10. Get adequate amounts of sleep.

8 hours of good quality sleep during the holidays will be easy if you maintain the same bedtime.  Besides, this gives you less time to eat!

11. I didn’t forget alcohol. 

Several blood types do not tolerate alcohol well.  Go here to find out if that is you.  Your blood type food list can be downloaded for free and can be a helpful guide this season.

Bon appétit and enjoy the holiday season!  Merry Christmas!