Take advantage of what you can control.

During the holidays, we are constantly offered unhealthy meals and high-calorie desserts. Healthy eating may seem impossible, but you have more control than you think. When you have parties to attend, take special care to eat healthily before and after those events. Meals should be low-calorie and loaded with fruits, vegetables, and lean protein. Limit snacking, and choose a healthy breakfast, like an apple cinnamon avocado smoothie, instead of a pastry on the days you have social events. Taking control of the times you are not celebrating can help you avoid holiday weight gain.

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A salad shouldn't make you feel like you are eating rabbit food, nor should it be so loaded with fat and calories that it is no longer nutritious. A healthy salad is hearty enough to keep you full and balanced in essential nutrients. As you build a healthy salad, keep these five components in mind.

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Role of Vitamin C

Most people associate vitamin C with boosting the immune system, but its role in health is much more significant. It is involved in protein metabolism and the biosynthesis of collagen, which makes up the connective tissue of joints. Vitamin C also enhances the absorption of non-heme iron (iron from plant-based foods).

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You don't have to deprive yourself on special occasions. Enjoying a treat and satisfying your sweet tooth without going overboard is possible. The key is to find a few favorite sweets and identify appropriate portions. These Halloween candies contain fewer calories than other tempting options available this time of year.

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Comfort foods can satisfy cravings and bring back fond memories, but many are loaded with unhealthy fat and calories. Seeking out the most nutritious options and making minor changes to old favorites are good ways to incorporate more healthy comfort foods into your eating plan.

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Full of Nutrients

Don't pass on root vegetables, thinking they are high-calorie and starchy. That is rarely the case. The following options are proof of the wide variety of nutrients available in root vegetables.

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The role of antioxidants.

Free radicals are molecules in the body that damage cells and may increase your risk for disease. They result from converting food to energy, performing exhausting exercise, and exposure to environmental elements, like smoke and pollution. Antioxidants are important because they bind to these free radicals, preventing their ability to damage cells and potentially improving health.

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Carbohydrates are a valuable source of energy

Carbohydrates get negative attention for causing weight gain, but they are a valuable energy source. One gram of carbohydrates contains four calories (the same amount in one gram of protein). For adults, carbohydrates should account for 45 to 65 percent of total calories.

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Protein is a macronutrient that provides four calories per gram. Along with carbohydrates and fats, protein is one of our primary sources of energy. The body also uses protein to perform the following functions:

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Use smaller dishes.

Grabbing a smaller plate or bowl may seem like a small change, but it can make a big difference in how much food you serve yourself. Research shows that larger bowls can cause us to take as much as 30 percent more food! Smaller plates require less food to fill and make portions appear larger, which leads to eating fewer calories without feeling deprived.

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