How to Vascular-Proof Your Thanksgiving
The holidays are approaching—and that means food, food, and more food! But what if you have PAD or another type of vascular disease? We asked Newport Beach vascular surgeon Dr. David Nabi how we can take care of our health needs and still enjoy the holiday fun.
Did you know studies have shown that people tend to eat more when they are in a group of people? There is even a scientific name behind this: “the social facilitation of eating.” Knowing this can prepare you to enjoy the holidays while strategizing for healthier and more nutritious options.
As we gather with our families, we need to make sure that we are healthy and that our family members are as well. If you have PAD or another vascular disease, you need to actively protect yourself from catching a cold, the flu, and especially Covid-19. Things like good hand washing, staying up to date with recommended vaccinations, or staying home if you are sick are simple precautions you can take fend off pesky viruses that are common during the holiday season.
Consider opting for Thanksgiving lunch al fresco! Eating outdoors is a fun way to enjoy your company and get a nice dose of vitamin D, depending on where you live, of course. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after get-togethers; this will help you stay hydrated and keep you from overeating. Water is a great party drink. Staying hydrated is an important practice to our daily living. Most people do not drink enough water daily, but it is so important for a healthy body and mind. In fact, if you feel thirsty, you are already feeling the effects of dehydration. Our bodies are equipped to make us “feel” thirsty to get us to reach out for that tall glass of water.
What part of the turkey is healthiest to eat?
For your entrée, go for the leaner cuts of turkey, like the breast without skin. For your side dish, a healthier alternative to mashed potatoes and gravy is salad with the dressing on the side. A handy tip to limit the calories from salad dressing is to dip your fork into a low-calorie dressing with every bite of salad. This prevents you from pouring on the calories and fat content over a salad that can be healthy while still delicious.
You would be surprised many desserts you can find that are low-calorie. Simply by using a sugar substitute like Swerve, you can transform a traditionally high-calorie dessert into a healthy one. Baked apples with cinnamon and Swerve are a vascular-friendly alternative to baked pies.
You can bake sweet potatoes, then add cinnamon and Swerve brown sugar substitute to keep the calorie count to a minimum. Sweet potatoes are rich in Vitamin A, C, and B6, plus they have potassium, four grams of fiber, and two grams of protein. They also have zero grams of fat, and a medium-size sweet potato only has 103 calories! Sweet potatoes are a definite holiday yes!
The holidays are a wonderful time to spend with family and friends, all while enjoying foods that bring us together. Making sure your surroundings are healthy and safe is key to not getting sick while visiting or entertaining your loved ones. Making small adjustments to classic holiday favorites, picking healthy cuts of protein, and making smart food choices can provide all the holiday enjoyment without any of the guilt. A tall glass of water is the perfect companion on your trip to the banquet table. Water will prevent you from overeating and help you stay awake for the Big Game.
What better way to wrap up your holiday dinner than a nice walk with a family member? Keep your PAD in check while catching up on the latest family news! From all of us at NewportVascular.com, we wish you a restful and delicious Thanksgiving holiday this year.