Eat smart, exercise this season

By MARSHA ERICKSON
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
There is something about the holidays that brings out the sweet tooth (not to mention killer cravings for fat and salt) in all of us. From cocktail meatballs and chicken wings, to freshly baked cookies and platters of fudge, indulgence is simply expected.
Choose wisely
But don't go running in panic from the buffet table just yet.
"This is the time of year to celebrate," said registered dietitian Heather Roy of Duluth. "There are those foods we hold dear to our hearts, and the holidays would not be the same without them."
In the Roy household, green bean casserole topped with crunchy french-fried onions is an absolute must. Another perennial favorite is Aunt Renee's "salad," made with apples, whipped cream and Snickers bars.
"Decide which foods hold special meaning for you, which foods you love the most, and which foods you can live without," Roy said. "Once you have decided, skip the least favorite and focus on smaller portions of the higher-calorie favorites."
And don't forget about togetherness with family and friends.
"Instead of focusing so much energy on celebrating with food, take the opportunity to reconnect with relatives and friends," Roy said. "Start a new tradition go snowshoeing, take a sleigh ride, go ice-skating -- anything that keeps you from lingering at the table."
Get moving, keep moving
"In the hustle and bustle of the season, physical activity often is the first thing to go," said Kelly Fugere, a certified health fitness instructor and personal trainer at the Center for Personal Fitness in Duluth. "Staying active is a great way to burn off excess calories and relieve seasonal stress at the same time."
With all the shopping, wrapping, cooking and decorating, finding the time for physical activity may seem impossible.
Fugere offered these tips for penciling exercise into a busy holiday schedule:
UExercise first thing in the morning, when other activities are less likely to get in the way.
UTry something silly and physical like playing softball with snowballs or making snow angels with the kids.
UPrioritize. Don't let errands and workload sidetrack you. You'll get more done after you're energized with exercise.
UGo for a short, brisk walk on your lunch break. Recruit a friend to come along.
UWalk on the treadmill while watching the news or your favorite TV program.
UDelegate. Let your spouse and children do the chores while you work out. Think of it as your duty to teach responsibility, teamwork and a strong work ethic to your loved ones.
XMarsha Erickson is a registered dietitian at Miller-Dwan Medical Center in Duluth, Minn. Have a question about nutrition? Write to her c/o The Duluth News Tribune, 424 W. First St., Duluth, Minn. 55802 or e-mail her at mericksonmdmc.sisunet.org.