Hannah Kaminsky

At one time, it was reported that the average American gains five to ten pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year‚s Day. More recent studies have put that figure much lower, at about an average of one pound during the same period. It may not seem like much, but the study also found that most people never shed that pound after the holidays. Over the course of several years, those pesky pounds add up, and can eventually lead to obesity.

When approaching the holiday season‚a six-week span often packed with parties, big meals, and an overload of sweets‚it is important to set yourself up for success by attempting to stick to your eating routine. According to Courtney Sansonetti, a registered dietitian at Rehabilitation Associates in Fairfield, ‚No one should be ‚dieting‚,‚ during the holidays. But you also shouldn‚t be over-indulging. In other words, as Courtney says, ‚focus on making as many informed and thoughtful choices for your health all year-round.‚

When faced with a plethora of unhealthy‚and often delicious‚holiday food options, what‚s a party-goer to do? ‚In the heat of the moment at the buffet table, remember that you can afford to eat more foods with lower energy density,‚ Courtney strategizes. ‚Fruits and vegetables are a great example of this because their water and fiber content provides more volume at a lower calorie cost. It‚s a simple, but effective, means of satisfying your appetite while maintaining a healthy weight.‚ Other strategies include bringing a healthy dish to a party (such as a raw vegetable platter or chilled shrimp), ensuring there will be at least one low-calorie, guilt-free option to enjoy. You may also consider eating a healthy snack at home before heading out for the evening, so you are not ravenous upon arrival, and more likely to make poor food choices. Most importantly, socialize! Don‚t park yourself next to the buffet table all night and nibble‚get out there and be merry!

‚For one Fairfielder, 19-year-old Hannah Kaminsky, making healthy choices is a way of life. As a committed vegan since the age of 14, she now shares her unique recipes with others. The author of My Sweet Vegan, a vegan dessert cookbook published in 2007, Hannah creates delicious confections with a healthy spin. ‚Veganism is vegetarianism taken to the next level,‚ she explains. ‚Vegans do not eat animals, or anything coming from animals, like eggs, dairy, honey, etc.‚ A vegan diet is rich in fruits and vegetables, and is also cholesterol-free, making it a healthy option for anyone. Additionally, it is a very ‚green‚ way to live; fewer resources are used to bring food from farm to table, so it saves on energy. ‚It is just better for the planet,‚ states Hannah.

When creating her desserts, she aims to make them ‚as good, or better than the original version.‚ Leafing through her beautiful cookbook (which also features her own photographs), I was surprised to see that most of the recipes are very simple to make, ‚and many vegan ingredients are shelf-stable items that you can keep on hand in your pantry.‚ Her ‚Five-Minute Coconut Fudge‚ is quick and easy and perfectly packable, making it a wonderful treat to share with others during the holidays. ‚This fudge is very easy,‚ says Hannah. ‚You can even get the kids involved in the action.‚ It is also free from any animal products like butter, making it a healthier dessert option. ‚You can add nuts, citrus, or any other flavorings you like to really personalize your gift,‚ she adds.

Cindi Bigelow, President of Fairfield-based Bigelow Tea, is another proponent of keeping it healthy during the holidays. ‚The holidays can be a risky time for many people, and studies show there to be a greater chance of having a heart attack during this time,‚ she states. With the onslaught of unhealthy foods commonly served at holiday celebrations, Cindi and many others are spreading the word that drinking tea is more important than ever. ‚Tea works as a blood thinner,‚ states Cindi, which together with antioxidants, can help to counteract the effects of fat-laden foods (Takanami, Y., Tokyo Medical University, Japan, 2008). ‚Tea is also loaded with‚ L-Theanine (a natural stress-reliever),‚ she adds. Ms. Bigelow, who lectures on the health benefits of tea, calls the beverage a ‚super-powerful brew.‚

For over 20 years, Bigelow has been advocating the use of tea in recipes, beginning with Ms. Bigelow‚s grandmother‚s original ‚Constant Comment Punch,‚ which was always served at the company‚s holiday parties. Today, Bigelow‚s online recipes are among the website‚s most popular features. They now aim to add one or two original recipes per month.

This year, whatever your holiday tradition, try to incorporate health-conscious choices into your meals and snacks. Courtney Sansonetti gives two important tips for healthy holiday eating: First, she notes, ‚Catch yourself from falling into that all-or-nothing mental trap of saying, ‚I‚ll just splurge and go back on my diet after the holidays.‚‚ That problematic pound might stay with you until next year. Second, she says, ‚Keep food in perspective over the holidays. Parties may feature celebratory food items, but those parties are also meant for meaningful time with friends and family, relaxation, and spirituality.‚ Now that is something to celebrate!