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Houston Medical Times
Healthy Heart 5 Simple Strategies for Healthier Holidays By The American Heart Association
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merican Heart Association’s Healthy for Good™ movement offers simple tips for self-care this season Nourishing yourself is smart for your heart and an effective way to take control of your health during the holidays. During Eat Smart Month this November, the American Heart Association, the leading voluntary health organization devoted to a world of longer, healthier lives, offers its latest recipes and science-backed tips to help you be Healthy for Good™. “The holidays can present nutrition challenges and additional stressors, but simple changes and investments in your own health can make an impact on your well-being and help you enjoy the season even
more,” said Jo Ann Carson, PhD, RD, retired professor of clinical nutrition in Dallas and past volunteer chair of the nutrition committee of the American Heart Association. “Start small by making one more healthy choice today and build on it tomorrow.” Focus on small, consistent steps. The American Heart Association’s Healthy for Good Eat Smart Initiative offers five tips for nourishing yourself this holiday season: 1. Get creative with swaps: Cooking at home is a great way to take control of your diet and tweak favorite seasonal dishes. Reduce sodium by replacing salt with herbs and spices, adding more fruits and vegetables to dishes, and using lower-sodium canned and frozen products. 2. Snack smart: To avoid overindulging during the holiday season, prep with nutrient-rich foods that don’t sacrifice taste. Look for snacks that will keep you feeling full and less tempted by those unhealthy choices. November 2020
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3. Take your time: Don’t rush through meals. Enjoy mealtime by pausing between bites and savoring your food. 4. Use time-saving technology: Many grocers make it easy to shop deals and save time with online ordering and pick-up and delivery options. Plus, it’s easier to resist that candy bar in the checkout line if you aren’t in a staring contest with it. 5. Practice gratitude: It can help lower blood pressure, improve your immune system, and spur you to eat better and exercise more. Write down five things you’re grateful for and share them with your family and friends. Gratitude is the gift that keeps on giving. For more healthy tips and recipes
visit heart.org/eatsmartmonth. Another tenet of the Heart Association’s Healthy For Good movement is Move More. A great way to get moving this month is to participate in one of the five Greater Houston Heart Walks, held November 5th and November 12th on Facebook (@AmericanHeartTX), that encourage participants to #walkwhereyouare. Tom Stewart, Vice President of Southeast Region Sales and Account Management of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, said, “As a long-time supporter of the American Heart Association in Houston, Blue Cross Blue Shield is proud to sponsor the Houston Heart Walk and continue to make strides toward ending heart disease and stroke. Houston is our home and we want our families, friends and neighbors to move more and be well, especially now, when you can walk and be active wherever you are.”
