Ask Leah! The Ingles Dietitian

Sponsored: Healthy Holidays Ahead

Sponsored: Healthy Holidays Ahead

It’s important not to neglect our health and fitness during the holidays.

1 Make time to be active. The busier we are, the more important it is to make time for exercise. Schedule at least 30 minutes each day to go for a walk, take an exercise class, lift weights, do sit-ups and push-ups or get to the gym.

2 Eat mindfully. Don’t eat until you’re stuffed, stop eating when you’re satisfied. Tempted by a delicious dessert or a special side dish? Don’t deny yourself, have a bite but think about enjoying and savoring it slowly. Can you take it home and save it until later? Share it with a friend or loved one? 

3 Think about what you drink. Some of the calories we are more likely to forget about ones that come in a cup, can, or a glass. High calorie drinks like alcoholic beverages, egg nog, sweetened sodas or sweet tea, and sweetened coffee drinks can add a lot of additional calories to our meals. Limit those types of beverages and have water instead.

4 Keep it Clean. Wash your hands before you eat and after you use the restroom. Cover your mouth when you cough. Stay home if you’re sick so you don’t make others sick.

5 Get some rest. Turn off the TV and other screens and get to bed. A good night’s sleep will help your immune system and getting an appropriate amount of sleep may also help you maintain a healthy weight.

Smokey Mountain News Logo
SUPPORT THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS AND
INDEPENDENT, AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM
Go to top
Payment Information

/

At our inception 20 years ago, we chose to be different. Unlike other news organizations, we made the decision to provide in-depth, regional reporting free to anyone who wanted access to it. We don’t plan to change that model. Support from our readers will help us maintain and strengthen the editorial independence that is crucial to our mission to help make Western North Carolina a better place to call home. If you are able, please support The Smoky Mountain News.

The Smoky Mountain News is a wholly private corporation. Reader contributions support the journalistic mission of SMN to remain independent. Your support of SMN does not constitute a charitable donation. If you have a question about contributing to SMN, please contact us.