When daily events wear out the smile and pleasantness in a person’s face, a stress relieving tea is one of the most recommended beverages to feel refreshed and relaxed again. There are several kinds of tea in the market today; most of which offers rejuvenating and relaxing effects on the body, being natural stress relievers. But what exactly are the different types of stress relieving tea and in what ways do they do magic on the relaxing the body?

Different Stress Relieving Tea for the Body

• Green Tea

Since the ancient times, green tea has been used by many people around the world as a very effective natural stress relief. Americans in particular are very agreeable when it comes to talking about how good they feel after drinking green tea.

Green tea contains adequate amount of caffeine to make a person mentally alert while its grassy and natural flavor makes the mind at ease and relaxed. Furthermore, green tea helps flush out body’s toxins and clean the intestines.

• Skullcap Tea

Women find skullcap stress relieving tea to be very appealing since it’s an effective relief for muscle tension and spasms due to premenstrual syndrome. Other causes of muscle tension as well as headaches can also be relieved by skullcap tea.

• Ginseng Tea

Ginseng tea is a popular herbal tea known to calm nerves and tension immediately after drinking it. After a tiresome day when the body feels very exhausted and a person feels like yelling with all the stress he’s experiencing, a warm ginseng stress relieving tea would help in calming him down.

• Valerian Tea

Valerian tea, as one of natural stress relievers, might not be the favorite of many due to its taste. But when it comes to making the body relax, valerian tea can be considered as one of the best. It induces sleep quite effectively and is actually considered by many insomniacs as a relaxation therapy for them to sleep well.

            Other effective tea for stress includes black tea, lemon verbena tea, and chamomile tea. Stress relieving tea is most effective when served warm and in the afternoon. It’s also a nice replacement for coffee when all one needs is increasing mental alertness. However, the ingredients of the different tea for stress have different effects on the body so one needs to know first which kind of tea can give him the satisfaction of either making him relax while being mentally alert or making him relax to the point of sleeping. 

Edyta is helping people to get freedom from stress. Discover the best stress relief activities via her free report. Click this link to get her FREE Stress Relief Download!

What Everybody Ought to Know About Stress Relieving Tea is a post from the Better Innovations Health, Fitness, and Wellness Blog

Everyday million wake up to a cup of coffee. Excess consumption can be a deterrent to one’s health. However, coffee lovers can make choices in drinking a healthier cup of coffee. Apply a few of these tips to make your love of coffee healthier when you indulge.

1. Keep in Touch 

Whether or not you drink coffee regularly or get caffeine from other sources (tea, chocolate, soft drinks), you need to be careful of how much you consume. Too much caffeine (mainly from soft drinks) can lead to hypertension. The best chances of staying healthy while consuming caffeine is to have regular appointments with your doctor to monitor blood pressure and blood levels.

2. Know Your Body 

Not everyone handles caffeine in the same manner, so it is best to know how your body reacts to caffeine before making it a regular choice. Caffeine is known as a stimulant and affects your nervous system (note how you sometimes get jittery after a soda). Some folks experience anxiety, muscle tremors, headaches, upset stomach, problems sleeping, irritability, and the list can go on. The recommended “dosage” of coffee, is 2 cups a day, any more and there is a higher chance of experiencing these symptoms.

3. Knowing Your Drink 

Find out, if possible, how much caffeine is in your container, then take the time to measure out how much you actually use. If the product (whether it be tea, coffee, candy, soft drinks) contains over 300mg, it highly recommended that you do not drink it.

4. Should I Drink It? 

There are certain people whom should avoid caffeine at all costs: anyone with heart disease, pregnant women, the elderly, children (up to age 15, at least), and those who have troubled blood vessels. So that means no tea, chocolate, coffee, or caffeine in general.

5. Keep It in Proportion 

Yes, you may be feeling super sluggish, but that doesn’t mean grab your big coffee mug and get a cup. If you stay within the small to medium range of cups (about 4-6oz in size). Keeping your portions low will help keep you out of the danger zone that too much caffeine can cause, and decrease the amount of fats and calorie intake at a low.

6. It Mixes with What? 

Coffee is a very versatile drink. People add milk, sugar, cream, even alcohol. The additives are what usually make coffee bad for you. But it has been proven that you lose up to 5 mg. of calcium in your body per cup of coffee. Don’t fret though, because with the simple additive of around 2 tbsp of milk you can add that calcium back.

7. Add This, Not That 

Keep any form of sugar (natural or artificial) out of your coffee. Instead, use a small touch of organic maple syrup or honey as an additive. Do not use creamers (powdered or cream), for they are packed high with bad Trans fats. Try using coconut milk or cream, for it’s packed with all the good saturated fats your body needs. Coconut milk also helps the immune system and strengthens the metabolism.

Use cinnamon in your coffee, as it helps maintain blood sugar levels. If you want a more “mocha” feel to your coffee, you can use organic cocoa powder. The amount sugar is a fraction of a traditional mocha drink with a big dose of helpful antioxidants.

The article is contributed by Davis Miller. Davis is well versed with topics like health and nutrition, weight loss, diabetes, vitamins and healthy recipes. Visit his site for kofiemachine kiezen and Koffie op het werk.

7 Tips for Healthier Coffee Drinking is a post from the Better Innovations Health, Fitness, and Wellness Blog

Barefoot running has been quite the debate lately.  Most people are either really against it or really supportive of the idea, there is no middle ground.  I tend to support the idea because I think it makes a lot of sense.  Back in the day, let’s say the hunter/gather era, we didn’t run around with nice padded shoes on our feet.  Nowadays, we’ve gotten used to our padded running shoes that have us landing with the heel of our foot on each stride.  However, if you take your shoes off and try to run, you’re almost forced to land on the ball of your feet instead.  In my mind, this is a more natural running style.  I’ll tell you why.

1) The Forefoot Strike

Landing on the ball of your feet instead of your heel makes a lot more sense.  Think about it.  When you land on the heel of your foot, you’re essentially hitting the brakes on each stride.  Each stride also sends a chain reaction of stress up your calf, thigh, hip, and back.  Going for your normal run can result in hundreds of these kinds of impact collisions.  Runners who run this way are usually prone to stress fractures and other related injuries.  However, landing on the ball of your feet on each stride provides you a more springier step and more support.

2) Strengthening Your Leg Muscles

There’s no question that the nature of running barefoot can improve and strengthen the muscles in your feet, ankles, legs, and so on.  You are basically forced to watch the ground below you and watch out for anything you don’t want to step on, so you make adjustments in your footing as you go.  This can also result in teaching yourself better balance.  Taking all the cushion away from your feet activates muscles that you didn’t use as much with normal running shoes.

3) Restoring The Connection

You lose a lot of the communication between your feet and body when you use normal running shoes.  Barefoot running reconnects you with your environment and dramatically increases the signals and communication flowing through your body.  In this situation, you’re forced to use your eyes more, more of your muscles are working to support you, and the structures of the bones in your feet and legs are being put to the test.  There’s a lot going on here!  You want these kinds of communication to be flowing nicely so that your body can work in a high alert mode that protects you.

Now, when I say barefoot running, I don’t mean literal barefoot running.  There are plenty of barefoot or minimalist type running shoes that can simulate barefoot running while protecting the bottom of your feet from the ground.

In this post, I make barefoot running seem like a walk in the park and that there are only benefits.  The truth is, it’s really tough.  Especially at first.  It’s safe to say that barefoot running isn’t for everyone. If you take up barefoot running, you need to ease into it slowly.  At first, you might even be more prone to injury and blisters with barefoot running than you are with traditional running.  You’re also more prone to hazards on the surfaces that you decide to run on, so try running on softer surfaces first.  As you get used to it, you may never turn back to traditional shoes.

Dan Thomas loves topics on health & fitness and shares his knowledge freely.  He also writes reviews on running shoes with toes and what you should know about them.  Follow him on Twitter (@HealthCrazyDan) for health, fitness, and personal development ideas!

3 Strong Arguments For Barefoot Running is a post from the Better Innovations Health, Fitness, and Wellness Blog

How can a log regarding your exercise improve a person’s further advancement with your training as well as fat reduction objectives? Whenever an individual wants to boost their fitness level it is very important. A lot of people simply just give it a quick thought, then just get cracking doing whatever they think they should do. Some don’t realize it might have much of an effect so they merely pass over it casually. On occasion they are just nonchalant. Nonetheless saving an individual’s progression can be a highly effective approach as part of your fitness goals. Exactly how will logging a person’s fitness development help? Why should you really care?

For starters, to find out your destination it is recommended to realize where you are starting. It is important to have a standard, a log associated with one’s body composition. This may include ones weight, measurements about several areas of one’s body, a before photograph, and make use of a certain piece of clothing to try on. In the future you will use it once more to see the way it feels.

Second, your objective will be on paper. It’ll be straightforward and determined. Simple reason why this really is effective is if you have undefined goals you can believe you have no real direction and may start to feel demotivated. When just beginning motivation is oftentimes the hardest factor to call up. Clear, specified missions provide you with a motivational influence.

Next, chronicles may help ensure that your regimen happens to be healthy and well balanced. As human beings people normally work at whatever we are good at and pay no attention to that which we are not proficient at. Weight training, resistance training, cardio exercise, not to mention a healthy eating plan are parts of a solid fitness plan.

Next, your recall isn’t perfect. For sometime you can recall the things you were doing as you are just starting. Nevertheless after a little progress you’ll discover yourself saying “Now, what did I do a week ago”?

Fifth, let’s discuss motivation again. You may reach a level whereby an individual’s development begins to plateau or at least it will likely be harder to make development . Your own personal fitness information can provide the ability to look back regarding where you have been and discover the advancement you are making and motivate you even more to keep nudging you in the direction of your endeavors.

Sixth, injuries may be prevented. If you happen to log just how you felt following a certain exercise it will also help to discover whether it is safe for you. If you had pain after a particular number of reps of an exercise you might like to cut down how frequent you utilize this exercise in your fitness routine.

Seventh, files provides obligation. In the event your goal is to eat healthy logging what you eat during the day may show you at what times you feel hungry, your cravings, and where you can make improvements to in your eating styles.

Once you have observed all the elements and had an opportunity to examine them, it will likely be your decision to choose whether or not this scenario for knowing more to do with recording your fitness progress is a compelling one or not.
Just maintain an open mind and evaluate the reasons. Perhaps you really ought to give more thought about documenting your fitness progression.

A Training Log is Necessary to Progress. is a post from the Better Innovations Health, Fitness, and Wellness Blog

It is an unfortunate fact that as we get older our fitness and mobility tends to decline. This is mainly caused by muscle atrophy or wastage; a steady decline in the amount of muscle that we have. Muscle atrophy has a range of causes including general disuse and wear and tear but it can be accelerated by some conditions such as muscular dystrophy. In addition diseases such arthritis and osteoporosis make movement harder and more risky as the danger of a fall increases. The aim of this post is not to provide a magic bullet but to show you how you can slow this process and what options you have as you get older.

Exercise

The single thing that will make the most difference is regular exercise.  The more you use your muscles the stronger they will get. Exercise doesn’t need to involve pounding away in the gym. Regularly walking can make a big difference as can running and swimming (more on those later).  Strength training however does have greater effect, for the simple reason that if done properly it will increase your strength. This doesn’t have to involve lifting weight though. Body weight exercises such a push ups, squats and pull ups will give you all the work out that you need.

You don’t just want to focus on strength though. Flexibility and cardio vascular exercise are just as important. There is little point in being the strongest person alive if you can’t tie your own shoelaces! Flexibility can be easily maintained and performing stretching exercises when you warm up and cool down before exercise, (this will also help you avoid stiffness after training). If you want to increase your flexibility then more strenuous exercise such yoga or martial arts will help.

Cardio vascular exercises like walking, running and swimming will not only keep you moving, but will do a lot to prevent heart disease and control your weight. Cardio can be as simple as walking to the shops and doing gardening and housework, so long as it leaves you slightly out of breath at the end then you are probably benefiting from it.

Diet can also help. There are a huge number of diets and advice out there and it can be hard to know what to do. I found the most useful advice ever uttered about this subject is Michael Pollan’s phrase “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly Plants.” Basically try to eat as much fresh and unprocessed food as possible and you will probably be O.K.

Mobility Aids

If your mobility is restricted then there is a huge range of different mobility aids available; from canes to scooters. If you need them then they can give you a huge amount of help and allow you to maintain your independence. The cost of these devices can be worrying but not only are there several government bodies and charities out there who will help defray the costs, but you can also cut the costs by renting or buying second hand. For example a reconditioned stair lift is not only about a third cheaper than a new one, but just as safe.

Daniel Frank is a UK blogger who is interested in disability and old age issues.

How to Stay Mobile in Old Age is a post from the Better Innovations Health, Fitness, and Wellness Blog

People concerned in their well-being have lately been researching is detoxing. Detoxing can take on several forms. First of all what is a detox? A detoxification occurs when a noxious substance is eliminated from a living organism. It can also refer to the phase of withdrawal an individual goes through after long term abuse of an addictive substance.

What we are going to be talking about is the opening type of detoxification, elimination of the noxious waste which is inside us. Pollutants are building up all-around us no matter where we have a tendency to dwell, specially within the metropolitan areas. We consume synthetic flavors, pesticides, and chemical preservatives. All about us there is air pollution. For these reasons there are several who are suggesting body cleanses with the aim of cleansing our bodies of these are crucial.

Many of these detoxification programs incorporate fasting, juicing, in addition to colonic irrigation. Spas are built so you are able to enjoy a vacation and be cocooned from outside stimulus whilst on one of these detoxes. When a person in on one of these detox packages it is tiring to be active and the truth is it is suggested not to be active.

There are some who question whether these succeed or are even required. Several say that after a detox fast is over and done with they have an increase concerning energy as well as well being. Nonetheless, there is an added line of attack of detoxing. Which is through training.

When we exercise on a consistent basis our body fat is lessened. It’s understood that fat is the home of choice for toxins. If this is the situation than removing the real estate the toxins use will maintain the neighborhood clean as a consequence it may well also assist to reduce the likelihood of getting tumors.
Since we have “developed” our physical activity intensity has lessened severely. Machines have taken over labor that has usually been thought of as being physically demanding. Think of farming. A good deal of the labor is now being accomplished by machines. Even office positions are becoming automated. We often actually get on our feet and from the office chair to file, move to a conference room, and use a fax. Currently the computer has even taken that from the picture. So we be seated all day at the computer plus we commonly nibble on food. So, not only do many of us ingest chemically tweaked food and inhale nasty toxins, But, we provide them with a residence within the body by remaining seated all the time by permitting ourselves get fat. Activity can also help with detoxing because of the build up of circulation of blood taking away waste from the cells.

The preferred movements to participate in for a detoxing result are exercises that is going to involve the total body and has enough of an aerobic effect that you’ll begin to sweat out toxins.
Circuit training has become a popular means of aerobic exercise. This can be an alternative for those who do not enjoy jogging or bicycling. No matter what you choose be sure the complete body is used to get the full effect. Certainly you have numerous ways to to get rid of toxins from the body. If you end up picking exercise to be a detox you will build lean muscle, burn fat, and strengthen your cardiovascular system. This may have a longer lasting detoxifying consequence.

Detox your Entire Body Via Exercise is a post from the Better Innovations Health, Fitness, and Wellness Blog

They say beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. A symmetrical face is supposed to denote unrivaled beauty, while others favor certain features such as almond-shaped eyes or a sharp nose. The definition of beauty varies with different geographical localities, but what appears to be consistent is how the condition of a person’s skin seems to take centre stage when beauty is discussed and appreciated.

This near-universal appreciation of good skin is probably why skin health is one of the most talked-about topics in recent years and for good reason. Skin health is not only related to surface beauty, it is also directly related to our health. A carefree and breezy contemporary lifestyle, for example, warrants some time in the open under direct sunshine, and everyone is aware that sunscreen is very important.

We all know the risk that frequent exposure to the sun holds: the sun emits ultraviolet (UV) rays, and too-frequent or prolonged exposure can result in not only sunburn, but also premature aging to the skin. However, what’s worse is that you can even develop skin cancer in addition to premature wrinkling. Protecting yourself from invisible UV rays is very important to ensure skin health, and there are specific ways to do so.

UV rays are electromagnetic radiation waves that have a wavelength shorter than that of visible light. Found in sunlight, it can actually be beneficial, as seen in the desire for most people to develop a golden, glowing tan, but only in controlled doses.

There are many skin check guides available, and an international standard measurement of the strength of UV rays called the ultraviolet index (UV index) can be used to gauge the intensity of UV rays in your area where you live.

In addition, it is highly recommended that you protect your skin as best as you can, especially when the UV index is at least 3; apply a generous amount of sunscreen approximately 30 minutes before going outdoors. Moreover, don’t forget to re-apply it if you sweat a lot, have gone swimming, or if 2 hours have elapsed since the previous application.

Protecting your skin means wearing protective clothing that covers large areas of skin and avoiding exposure to the sun when sunlight is strongest. This time frame is between 10 AM and 4 PM, so it is advisable to stay indoors or in the shade for this duration.

Skin health is an ongoing process that must never be neglected. In addition to ensuring that you don’t look prematurely aged, avoiding unnecessary sun damage will minimize the risk of developing skin cancer.

Skin Checking Guide is a post from the Better Innovations Health, Fitness, and Wellness Blog

Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is more than just the “Winter Blues.”  It is a form of seasonal or temporal depression that typically affects people during the winter months of longer nights and less sunlight.  If you suffer from SAD, there are many alternative therapies that can naturally help you improve your mood and reduce depressive symptoms, even if you already use a light box for treatment.

1. Improve your mood with food.  Certain foods have proven relationships to brain function.  Healthy Omega-3 fatty acids, complex carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, amino acids, and lean protein are essential parts of a healthy diet that can also improve your mood.  Snack on nuts or dark chocolate, feast on turkey or salmon with a spinach and quinoa salad, add colorful vegetables to everything, eat fruit for breakfast, and drink your milk for a happier mood in no time!
2. Boost happiness with exercise.  Physical activity – both cardio and weight or resistance training – helps tell your brain to produce feel-good chemicals and hormones.  These chemicals help regulate mood, boost energy levels, and improve feelings of contentment.  Working out on a regular basis can help give your brain a steady supply of feel-good chemicals to keep you happy all winter long.
3. Try aromatherapy.  Scents can have a powerful effect on brain function, promoting positive thinking or pleasant memories, easing tension and reducing anxiety or frustration, calming your mind and promoting clear thinking or restful sleep.  Different scents may have different stimulating effects on your thought process, so consult a professional to get the most benefit out of your aromatherapy.
4. Consult an acupuncturist.  This ancient treatment has been used to heal mental and physical ailments and is rapidly gaining popularity in Western cultures.  Professional acupuncture sessions can help release tension, relieve anxiety, and stimulate feelings of peace and clarity.
5. Hop in the water.  Hydrotherapy is an alternative or complementary treatment for depressive symptoms.  Hot tubs, pools, and even jet-massage tubs can help provide stress relief and boost energy levels.  So take a bath, a swim, or sign up for some professional hydrotherapy to reap the benefits of good old H2O.
6. Start a journal.  Writing about your feelings or experiences just a few times a week during your SAD months may help reduce depressive symptoms.  Experts believe that working through your emotions and channeling your thoughts through a diary or journal can help you cope with the change in your brain’s chemical processes.
7. Go outside!  Light is a key factor in reducing symptoms of SAD – that is why the primary treatment for SAD involves light therapy.  To boost your chances of reducing feelings of depression, up your intake of natural light by taking a walk during lunchtime or exercising outside on the weekends.
8. Talk it out.  To further relieve feelings of depression and sadness during the winter months, try talking about it.  Most people are willing to lend support to their loved ones who are suffering, so reach out to your friends and family and let them know what you are experiencing.  Sometimes just letting others know about your pain or unhappiness can help reduce the mental burden you are carrying.  If you do not want to discuss your feelings with people who are close to you, consider counseling sessions or group therapy, where you will have the opportunity to share your experiences with other who know exactly how you feel.

Seasonal Affective Disorder is a challenging condition, but it does not have to ruin your entire season.  By taking these steps to make positive lifestyle changes and complementing your traditional light therapy treatments, you will be giving yourself the best possible chance at beating your disorder and escaping the symptoms of SAD.

Author Bio: Katie Brind’Amour is a freelance writer who loves to share information about health and wellness.  She is certified in Mental Health First Aid and is a Certified Health Education Specialist.  She has a masters in Biology and is currently pursuing a PhD in Health Services Management and Policy.  In her spare time, she works on her personal blog and dreams of writing the perfect historical novel.

Natural Methods for Treating Seasonal Affective Disorder is a post from the Better Innovations Health, Fitness, and Wellness Blog

Be honest, do we really know where our food comes from? What hormones may have been injected into it and whether or not it was genetically modified? When we are walking down the aisle of the grocery store, we often do not know what half of the ingredients in most of the products are or why they are there. When you lose weight with the Paleo diet that is exactly what you are focusing on – what are you putting into your body?

The basics about our food

Over the last few years, people have been debating diet fads and crash diets and it seems that once someone comes out and proclaims a diet to be successful, there are at least three doctors that claim it is dangerous for your body. However, when you lose weight with the Paleo diet you are not trying something new, instead, you are reverting back to what our ancestors ate.

The simple fact no one wants to admit

Regardless of what you may or may not believe, it does not take a Ph.D in nutrition to understand that putting fructose corn syrup, processed foods, and hormone-induced plants and animals into our system is probably not a good idea in the long haul.

So what is it based off?

People lose weight with the Paleo diet because it is based on how people ate before the modern agricultural revolution. This means that people who eat the Paleo diet primarily eat fresh fruits, lean meat, seafood, and vegetables. All of these foods are loaded with photochemicals, minerals, antioxidants, vitamins, and the good types of fat. People lose weight with the Paleo diet because they stay off the processed foods and revert to nature.

Is it healthy to lose weight with the Paleo Diet?

People who want to lose weight with the Paleo diet obviously want to know if it is a healthy alternative to what we eat now. Because what good is losing weight if you feel horrible or are damaging your health? A recent study at Colorado State University demonstrated that the Paleo diet provides us with all the minerals and vitamins that we may need. The only vitamin that is not abundant in the diet is Vitamin D (a vitamin that most people get through exposure to sunlight)

So why do you lose weight with the Paleo diet?

One of the reasons people lose weight with the Paleo diet is simple, they finally know what they are putting in their body. Once you understand that these food companies are taking every shortcut they possibly can to squeeze the most profit out of their production, you understand that this does not translate into healthy eating. People also lose weight with the Paleo diet because the foods are low in refined sugars, salt, trans fat and high glycemic carbohydrates. In short, it is the type of food our bodies were made to eat.

This sounds easy

It is not hard to lose weight with the Paleo diet. In fact, you probably have eaten meals that were Paleo specific before. Have you ever had a chicken salad without adding salad dressing (read the back of the label, they are filled with high fructose corn syrup) you have eaten Paleo before, have you ever eaten a meal of just fish and vegetables? Paleo meal.

Reverting back to the old ways

People lose weight with the Paleo diet because it is not a crash or fad diet, it is a change in how we live our lives. Whether you want to lose weight with the Paleo diet or whether you want to give your body more energy than you ever thought possible, eating a Paleo diet is going to transform the way you feel. It is science backed with thousands of years of proven benefits, and to lose weight with the paleo diet is the best means yet.

Lose Weight With The Paleo Diet

As with any new lose weight regime, you need to test out what works best for you.  If you feel that certain ways work better than others, revert back to them in a healthy manner.  We do know, however, that you can lose weight with the Paleo diet and would appreciate your thoughts on it.

About This Author

Greg Henderson, a California-based businessman with over 11 years in writing and online blogging, provided this piece based on personal endeavors and education in weight loss and the experiences he has gone through to shape himself down. His current projects include a public records site, RecordsProject.com, and a free background check site, SnoopStation.com.

Use The Paleo Diet In 2012 is a post from the Better Innovations Health, Fitness, and Wellness Blog

One of the biggest worries that many people have over the holiday season is not what to get that special someone for Christmas or where you are going to let your guests that are staying with you over the holidays sleep, but how to keep off the pounds over the holidays.

A great way to keep off extra weight over the holidays is by fixing healthy Christmas dishes to replace fattening foods that normally populate Christmas dinner tables during the holidays. You might laugh at the idea of healthy Christmas food, but it might surprise you how many healthy substitutes there are to your favorite dishes.

Gelatin

Flavored Gelatin is a wonderful substitute for fattening chocolate dishes and puddings. Most gelatins have less than 50 calories per serving, some of them have almost none! Best of all, gelatin comes in a variety of flavors, such as lemon, orange, lime, raspberry, and other delicious fruit flavors. If you make really good gelatin, your family won’t even ask about what happened to those fattening brownies.

More Vegetables

Vegetables are fairly well known for having a place at the Christmas dinner table, however they sometimes don’t get a big enough space at the table. This next Christmas dinner, try to fix more vegetables to take the place of other fattening dishes. Carrots, green beans, spinach, broccoli, corn and cauliflower are popular choices.
Another great choice for a side is a garden salad. Salads are very low in calories and can be topped with low calorie dressings, such as a vinaigrette.

Fruit

It is surprising to see how little fruit makes it to the table for Christmas dinner. Fruit can be a very sweet substitute for deserts and only contain a small fraction of the calories. Fruit can also be paired with small portions of cottage cheese to create a scrumptious holiday dish. Some great fruits that you can prepare for your Christmas dinner include peaches, pears, apples, oranges, strawberries, and blueberries, just to name a few.

Low Calorie or No Calorie Drinks

A lot of people like Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate during the holiday season, and that includes Christmas dinner. These drinks are high in calorie content, though. So why not substitute other tasty hot and cold drinks, such as coffee, tea, water, or small servings of soda?

Make sure you have a happy and healthy holiday season – prepare wholesome foods for you and your whole family.

Gabriel Adams is a writer for www.smartgiftshopper.com where he shares yankee swap gift ideas and other holiday tips.

Stay Thin Over The Holidays With These 4 Healthy Foods is a post from the Better Innovations Health, Fitness, and Wellness Blog