Berry Healthy Holiday Options That Still Satisfy
The old joke is that everyone gains weight during the holidays, just in time to feel forced to choose dieting as their New Year’s Resolution. Even Friends showed Ross not wanting to divulge his weight to Joey after the holidays one season:
But, contrary to popular opinion, there are plenty of healthy things you can do for your body to maintain order during this season of countless dinners, endless parties, and never-ending dessert tables. Well•Pict Berries can be a helpful part of maintaining a steady diet during this often gluttonous time of year.
“But, Well•Pict,” you may say. “I still want to enjoy myself a little this season.”
Have no fear. There are so many things to eat and drink this season that are delicious and festive, but still healthy and filling.
First things first, let’s start with giving you the simple advice of staying hydrated. People often overeat when they’re really only thirsty. Not to mention, staying hydrated also keeps your energy up, keeps your skin looking good, and keeps all your organs working properly. Adding sliced berries to your water (sparkling or still) is a quick and easy way to feel like you’re getting some variety in your beverage diet, without all the added sugar and preservatives of sodas and fruit drinks.
Some of our favorite combinations include raspberries with fresh lime juice and strawberries with mint leaves. But there is really no end to flavor possibilities; try out whatever fruits or herbs you have on hand and switch things up when you feel yourself getting bored.
In addition to staying hydrated, making sure to start the day with a filling meal is another important step you can take to ensure you don’t overcompensate at lunch, dinner, or dessert time. Our Chia Pudding recipe firms up overnight so it’s ready to go first thing in the morning. By “pudding” we mean it tastes like a delicious dessert pudding, but really this recipe mostly consists of your favorite non-dairy milk and a healthy serving of antioxidant boosting chia seeds. Win-win!
Well•Pict Berries
If baked goods are more your style, we highly recommend our Strawberry-Banana-Oatmeal Mini Muffins. These babies are packed with fiber, potassium, and antioxidants. The smaller size doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be more to go around, but if you do indulge in seconds (or thirds) you can feel better knowing there’s no sugar involved; the recipe just calls for a couple tablespoons of honey used as a natural sweetener.
Well•Pict Berries
Lots of appetizers this time of year involve heavy amounts of cream, cheese, and/or the best of both worlds, delicious cream cheese. Half the time one can be loaded up on calories before dinner is even served! Instead of bringing those sorts of hors d’oeuvres to whatever party you’re attending or hosting- and ending up eating them all night yourself- consider being the person who shows up with something both tasty AND healthy for everyone to snack on, like these Strawberry Spinach and Feta Crackers from A Latte Food. These little guys only require four-ingredients (two of which are fruits and veggies!) and are remarkably satisfying considering how good-for-you they are.
A Latte Food
If the dessert table is where you’re weakest, try making something like this Grain Free Berry Crisp from Minimialist Baker. It’s considerably better for you than pie or a typical crumble, but you’ll still get some warm, gooey, goodness to heat up your tummy.
Minimialist Baker
For those of you who sometimes like to drink your calories (no judgement!), we want to recommend this Strawberry Smash cocktail from Cookie and Kate. It has strawberries (which we all know are full of health benefits and delicious, to boot), basil leaves and club soda (both good for digestion), lemon (high in digestion), and little bit of honey (rich in antioxidants and a better alternative to sugar). Even the vodka is considered a low-calorie alcohol and some studies say it can aid in increased blood flow and circulation, and help lower your cholesterol. So, cheers to that!
Cookie and Kate
However, you end up spending your holidays, whatever ends up on your plate, we hope you have a great time and forgive yourself the occasional extra bite or second helping. Like the old Irish proverb goes, “Laughter is brightest where food is best.” Here at Well•Pict, we sincerely hope you have great food and great laughter, all season long.