Holiday hacks to indulge (the healthy way)

Fall is here, which, for many of us, means a time to indulge. Whether it’s your favorite fall dessert or a Thanksgiving feast, here are some recipes and tips for enjoying your favorite food and treats in a healthy way.

Enjoy in moderation: Don’t fall into the trap of believing you have to completely miss out on your favorite eats. Pay attention to serving sizes on nutrition labels and portion out accordingly. Try portioning out your snacks into individual bags or containers based on the nutrition label’s recommended serving.

Follow the 80-20 rule: As the 80-20 rule goes, strive to eat healthy and nutritious foods 80% of the time while allowing yourself to indulge in those not-so-healthy guilty pleasures 20% of the time.  An easy way to stick to this is by finding healthier alternatives for your favorite treats. For example, try swapping baked sweet potato fries for regular fries.

Make it both healthy and delicious: It’s true—with the right recipe, you can create a meal or even dessert that’s both healthy and delectable. By choosing foods that are as appetizing as they are nutritious, you’ll have an easier time sticking to healthy eating patterns in the long term. Go ahead and experiment with different herbs and spices or healthy homemade sauces and dressings that can take your meals even more delicious.

Need some more inspiration? Try whipping up some fall-inspired pumpkin overnight oats or making a comforting bowl of coconut-curry butternut squash soup.