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3 Tips for More Balanced Holiday Eating
A realistic approach to enjoying sweet seasonal favorites
PHOTO CREDIT: SHUTTERSTOCK
Cookie exchanges, candy-filled bowls on the mantel, coffee and dessert with family and friends…’tis certainly the season for all the sweet treats. Which can feel daunting if you want to be mindful of your sugar intake.
Here are some tidings of comfort and joy. It is possible to have your fruitcake and eat it, too. With a balanced approach to enjoying holiday favorites, you can sample the sweets you love without upending your healthy eating habits. It all comes down to being intentional about the choices you make. This includes choosing your indulgences carefully, savoring the ones you select (so a little goes a longer way), and giving yourself and guests a thoughtful range of options.
Read on for these and more healthful strategizing tips.
1. Prioritize the Sweet Treats You Truly Love
Often, the holiday sweets we love most are because of the memories that come with them, like making cookies with Grandma. The candy canes you always hung on the tree. The dear friend you reunite with over a rich cup of hot chocolate. Honor and make room for those special moments by prioritizing the treats that tap into the nostalgia and bring the most joy. Skip the ones with less meaning.
It can also be tempting to take an all-or-nothing approach. In an effort to maintain healthy goals, you forbid yourself anything that veers outside them. But as a result, you may end up feeling excluded and resentful of the fun others get to take part in. That can sometimes lead to eating too much because you feel you “deserve” it. A more balanced plan, where you allow yourself to take part in treats or desserts you know you’ll especially enjoy, makes it easier to say no when something doesn’t really appeal.
2. Savor the Treats You Choose
Think of it as a quality over quantity game. It’s easy to grab a handful of candy and gobble it down. Then, suddenly, you’ve eaten half the bowl without really being aware of how it tastes or whether you even like that particular treat. But if instead, you slow down, notice, and enjoy what you’re eating, it becomes much more satisfying. You truly taste each bite, and it’s easier to stop after a few because the treats you’ve had have been rewarding.
Also, it’s important to remember, if you overindulge on occasion, there’s no need to beat yourself up. Each party, gathering, or event is an opportunity to try again. Ultimately, it’s about doing the best you can, rather than being perfect.
3. Keep a Variety of Sweet Options on Hand
Inherent in holiday gatherings are a lot of different people with different preferences and needs. You can help make sure there’s something for everyone by having a mix of traditional sweets on hand, as well as candy made without sugar. There are tasty zero sugar options that allow guests who are watching their sugar intake to be part of the fun. Individually wrapped treats can also be a wise way to control portion size and – especially for larger gatherings – are more hygienic.
Hershey’s Zero Sugar offers delicious favorites with all the rich, creamy, chocolatey goodness you love – without the sugar or aspartame. From Hershey’s Zero Sugar Chocolate Candy and Hershey’s Zero Sugar Cookies ’n’ Creme Candy to Reese’s Zero Sugar Peanut Butter Cups and York Zero Sugar Peppermint Patties, there’s a familiar favorite for every chocolate lover.
The season wouldn’t feel quite as festive without some sweet traditions in the mix. And it’s absolutely possible to make room for those desserts or favorite candies without knocking your healthier eating goals out of balance. Just go for moderation and focus on the treats you love most or that hold special meaning and memories. Relish a slow morning 'round the fireplace, with a luscious mocha latte in hand. Try indoors s'mores using your favorite miniatures. Hershey's has you covered with Reese's Zero Sugar Peanut Butter Cups, York Zero Sugar Patties, and Hershey's Zero Sugar Chocolate Candies.
Remember to pause and enjoy whatever you’ve chosen. Instead of feeling left out, you’ll be able to take part in yummy celebratory fun that also feels good at the end of the day…and the season.
Click here to learn more about delicious Hershey’s Zero Sugar products
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