The IAA One Minute Blog

The holiday season is in full swing and you know what that means--delicious treats for one and all. These treats can add to your waistline if you are not careful. That's why Insurance Administrator of America is here with tips to help you have a healthy holiday season.

Traveling for the Holidays

Eating healthy on the road (or in the air) has long been a struggle for holiday travelers. This is one of the many reasons why people tend to gain a few extra pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. Here are some tips to help you eat right when flying this holiday season:

• Have a plan: You know your departure and arrival time. Use that schedule to plan full meals throughout the day. When mapping out your meals, remember to prepare for the possibility that your timing and/or location could be thrown off by a delayed flight or missed connection.
  
• Know your airport: The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine found that about three-quarters of airport restaurants sell at least one low-fat, high-fiber, cholesterol free, vegetarian entrée. Check to see if your airport is one of those that offer this type of meal.
  
• Know your airline: When you are a passenger on a plane, you don't have much choice in what you eat. So think before you book.
  
• Pick wisely: Part of eating right is knowing where the danger lies. Be wary of anything that comes in a sauce. Also, be on the lookout for packed snacks that are high in sodium. Avoid fried food. Look for things in their natural state.
  
• Pack for emergencies: You always pack an extra pair of underwear so why not pack extra snacks?
  

Traveling can take a lot out of you. Here are some ways to keep you in the best shape while traveling:

• Be aware of holiday cheer: Many hotels offer complimentary champagne, snacks or holiday cakes and cookies. Having a bite or a sip is fine, but save the bulk of your calories for big meals with your loved ones.
• Get enough sleep: The holidays are often hectic and trying to combined that with flights or lengthy road trips usually ends up with your being sleep deprived. Lack of sleep can make you overeat, cause dizziness, make you sluggish, and affect your mood. If you're short on sleep, try to rest while on the plane or in the passenger's seat of the car.
• Remain active: If you're staying in a hotel, use the swimming pool or exercise room.
  

Traveling can be stressful, but seeing your loved ones for the holidays more than makes up for it!

Eat Thoughtfully This Holiday Season

Make this an "all-you-can-thoughtfully-eat" season. Eating thoughtfully means thinking things through and making informed holiday dietary decisions. The first step toward a healthy holiday season is simple and effective; don't use the season as an excuse to splurge. The second is to always be on the lookout for ways to add healthy behaviors in your life. Challenge yourself with these tricks:

• Always eat a healthy dinner before you go to a holiday party.
• At appetizer tables, choose two or three of your favorites and put them on a small plate or napkin. Then walk away. When you are done with your food, throw away the napkin or plate.
• At a buffet, cover most of your plate with vegetables and fruits. Then find room for smaller portions of the high calorie main dishes.
• Bring "safe" healthy food to potlucks.
• Just say no to packaged holiday candies and cakes.
• Online shopping is a good time saver, but it means that you lose out on mall walking.
  
• Watch out for times when you feel guilty for overeating. Just because you slipped up at lunch, isn't license to overindulge all day.
  

If you are the host this year, encourage your guests to take leftovers and goodies home with them. The easiest place to control excess calories this holiday season is in your own home.

What IAA has to Say

IAA knows that the holidays are a time to spend with loved ones. So make this holiday about the time you spend together, not about the food you plan on eating. Just think of IAA as your self-funded holiday helper, just keeping you healthy for the upcoming year. Happy holidays from IAA!

Interested in reading more about how to stay healthy during the holidays? Click here.