Advertisement
Novant Health shares healthy eating tips for holiday season
Updated: 2:24 PM EST Nov 22, 2023
The turkey, stuffing, gravy, and mashed potatoes are what come to mind for many when we think of Thanksgiving, but dietitians at Novant Health are reminding people to make sure their plates this holiday season also have healthy choices on them as well. “Just focusing on getting in those servings of vegetables still, despite all the other good stuff that’s around,” said Mariela Arias Vallecillo, a dietitian with Novant Health’s Heart and Wellness Cardio-Pulmonary Rehab and Prevention unit. Arias Vallecillo said they try to get the message of healthy eating out there especially around this time of year, since they say this is the time when people tend to overindulge in foods with higher salt, sugar and fat contents. “I always say moderation is key. And so it doesn’t mean you can’t eat, you know, everything but try to moderate your portion of the foods that, again, are higher maybe in the saturated fat, or sodium or sugar depending on what food we’re talking about,” Arias Vallecillo said.She said while you can eat the pumpkin pie and turkey, it’s important to eat it in moderation and have those greens and veggies on your plate.”Try to get a colorful plate as best you can because the most varied colors you have on your plate mean more variety of nutrients and vitamins and minerals you’re getting,” Arias Vallecillo said. Novant Health also put together a holiday cookbook filled with healthy recipes. They share copies with patients throughout the holiday season. Some of the recipes from the cookbook can be found below.
The turkey, stuffing, gravy, and mashed potatoes are what come to mind for many when we think of Thanksgiving, but dietitians at Novant Health are reminding people to make sure their plates this holiday season also have healthy choices on them as well.
“Just focusing on getting in those servings of vegetables still, despite all the other good stuff that’s around,” said Mariela Arias Vallecillo, a dietitian with Novant Health’s Heart and Wellness Cardio-Pulmonary Rehab and Prevention unit.
Advertisement
Arias Vallecillo said they try to get the message of healthy eating out there especially around this time of year, since they say this is the time when people tend to overindulge in foods with higher salt, sugar and fat contents.
“I always say moderation is key. And so it doesn’t mean you can’t eat, you know, everything but try to moderate your portion of the foods that, again, are higher maybe in the saturated fat, or sodium or sugar depending on what food we’re talking about,” Arias Vallecillo said.
She said while you can eat the pumpkin pie and turkey, it’s important to eat it in moderation and have those greens and veggies on your plate.
“Try to get a colorful plate as best you can because the most varied colors you have on your plate mean more variety of nutrients and vitamins and minerals you’re getting,” Arias Vallecillo said.
Novant Health also put together a holiday cookbook filled with healthy recipes. They share copies with patients throughout the holiday season. Some of the recipes from the cookbook can be found below.
