Healthy for the Holidays

MyPlate recommends half of our plates should be fruits and vegetables each day. There are many benefits of adding fruits and vegetables to your meals. They are low in calories and fat while providing fiber and other key nutrients our bodies need. Fruits and vegetables don’t just add nutrition to your meals and snacks however; they also add color, flavor and texture!

As we approach the holiday season that brings numerous parties, gatherings, and other functions, it can be challenging to follow this recommendation. To help keep you on track, the USDA created a document “Make Healthier Holiday Choices: 10 Tips for a Healthier Holiday.”

Tips to create healthier meals and snacks ad well as to maintain physical activity include:

Create MyPlate makeovers
Enjoy all the food groups at your celebration
Make sure your protein in lean
Cheers to good health – quench your thirst with low-calorie options
Bake healthier
Tweak the sweet
Be the life of the party – focus on fun
Make exercise a part of the fun
Enjoy leftovers
Give to others

Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Eat Smart NY program of the Southern Tier (covering Broome, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Madison, Onondaga, Otsego, and Tioga Counties) is challenging you to “Deck the Halls” this holiday season with fruits and vegetables.

Southern Tier Eat Smart NY posts tips on their Facebook, Twitter, and here on the website that will help you to fill half your plate each day with fruits and vegetables!

For more information on the benefits of fruits and vegetables please visit www.choosemyplate.gov.

Check out some of the great websites and resources available at your fingertips! Click below!