by Laine Himmelmann
The holiday season is here — a time for gathering, celebrating and, yes, indulging in delicious food. But hearty doesn’t have to mean unhealthy. Blue Shield of California certified nutrition coach and senior director of lifestyle medicine Angie Kalousek Ebrahimi offers these tips for making healthier eating choices around the holidays:
1. Fill half of your plate with veggies
Make vegetables the centerpiece of your holiday meals. Roasted, grilled, or raw — veggies add fiber, nutrients and color to every celebration.
2. Make smart ingredient swaps
Choose healthier ingredients: Greek yogurt for sour cream, mashed cauliflower for potatoes, and fruit-based desserts instead of heavy pies.
3. Practice mindful eating
Slow down, savor each bite, and listen to your body’s hunger and fullness cues. Enjoy your favorite treats in moderation — no guilt here.
4. Hydrate wisely
Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Alternate festive drinks with water or sparkling water to stay refreshed and energized.
Rigatoni with caramelized onions
Fall cauliflower soup
5. Cook a healthy dish
Whether cooking at home or attending a gathering, make a nutritious dish to share. Healthy recipes can still be hearty and delicious.
Start by taking a look at the recipes in the Thrive Global Cookbook, a collaboration between Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan and Thrive Global, the behavior change technology company founded by Arianna Huffington. A few of Kalousek Ebrahimi’s favorite winter picks from the cookbook include: fall cauliflower soup, cinnamon pecan sweet potatoes, and rigatoni with caramelized onions.
“The dishes you’ll find in the Thrive Global Cookbook are nourishing and perfect for sharing with loved ones,” said Kristen Cerf, president and CEO of Blue Shield Promise, who emphasizes the importance of supporting members’ health and well-being year-round.
Cinnamon pecan sweet potatoes
“At Blue Shield Promise, we want to ensure everyone has access to resources that make healthy choices easier, and this cookbook — during the holidays or anytime — is a resource for anyone looking to incorporate more simple, easy to make, healthy food for their family,” she added.
Kalousek Ebrahimi recently joined FOX40 Sacramento morning news anchor Melanie Townsend for a live fall cauliflower soup cooking demo (video below). In the segment, Angie shows just how easy it is to prepare festive, nourishing meals from the Thrive Global Cookbook — this winter and beyond.
For more recipes to consider, check out the Thrive Global Cookbook, a collaboration between Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan and Thrive Global, the behavior change technology company founded by Arianna Huffington. Click here to download the Thrive Global Cookbook in 11 languages.
For more information on Blue Shield of California’s offerings to support your health and nutrition, available at no additional cost to most members, visit digital lifestyle platform Wellvolution.
Angie Kalousek Ebrahimi’s appearance on FOX 40: Healthy holiday recipes in action
