Kyle Hunt
The holidays are meant to bring cheer and good will to men, but for others, they bring weight gain, guilt and a pass to the gym. But did you know that some of the classic holiday dishes are actually good for you?
Pumpkin is loaded with delicious fiber and vitamin A. On its own, pumpkin is a low-calorie food, and its seeds are high in polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, which are good for maintaining a healthy body. It’s only when the pumpkin is turned into pie, packed with milk, sugar and shortening, that it becomes a heart problem.
Turkey is low in fat compared to other meats. Plus, it’s full of B vitamins, such as B6, B12, niacin and riboflavin. Not to mention, this bird is a wonderful source for protein. Personal trainers who learned their stuff from a Utah college remind you to go easy on the gravy.
Rich in potassium, beta-carotene, Vitamin C and antioxidants, the sweet potato is a gold mine of nutrition. Its skin is also full of fiber. The greatest part about this food, though, is that it’s already sweet. So injecting it with butter, sugar and marshmallows (though divine) isn’t necessary. Sweet potatoes have a wonderful flavor all their own.
The holiday mix of nuts can be a sodium trap, but among all those nuts, pecans are the most antioxidant rich. They also contain heart-healthy omega-3. Personal trainers with degrees from a Utah college say it’s okay to eat a handful of these.
Besides being delicious, green beans, as well as all green vegetables, are great sources of iron, Vitamins A, C and K, folate, fiber and potassium. It’s only when these green fingers are drenched in mushroom soup and fried onions that they become a health hazard.
AmeriTech College specializes in health care education in the medical, dental, fitness, and nursing fields.
