Northwest Iowa — Eating and the holidays. They go together like potatoes and gravy or pie and ice cream. But there are some things to keep in mind to keep everybody healthy.
We had a chance to talk to Dr. Amy Wingert from Sanford Sheldon. She tells us that she and several million others have food allergies, and you have to be very careful, especially if you make something to take to a party or event. She tells us what happened to her.
So, Dr. Wingert says that while it’s not always that severe, yes, it is a big deal. She says the problem is, people who don’t have any experience with food allergies don’t know how much caution needs to be taken.
She gives us some tips for allergy-free baking.
Overeating or staying true to your diet can also be an issue during the holidays. Sanford Sheldon experts have several tips.
First of all, if it’s going to cause you a lot of stress to eat right at holiday parties, don’t sweat it. It’s not a big deal if you only cheat once or twice a year. On the other hand, you know yourself. Experts say if some people get off track, it will be harder for them to get back “on the bandwagon” again.
Sanford dieticians advise that it might be wise to eat something healthy before you go to a party so that you’re less hungry and have more self-control. If there’s a buffet, they suggest surveying the whole buffet first so you know what is available so you can plan your attack. They say choose healthy foods first and then maybe one or two favorites.
If you are the one planning the holiday party, experts suggest making just a couple of favorites available. They say studies have shown that the more options there are, the more people overeat — no doubt because they want to try everything.
They say a good rule of thumb if you’re trying to eat healthy over the holidays, is that if it’s not a favorite holiday food, don’t waste the calories on it.
Experts also say that it helps to focus on family and friends — not food.
