The docs: Go spicy and beat the holiday weight gain

Food deserves its important place at the center of the holiday celebrations. We think enjoying your holiday favorites is a great way to reconnect with family traditions and start some new ones, too. Trouble is, high-calorie holiday foods and over-the-top portions spill over, changing the way you eat every single day between Thanksgiving and New Year’s.

For the holidays, you need a unique strategy, one that lets you celebrate without downsides. So indulge in flavorful favorites like peppermint and chocolate (yes!), citrus, cinnamon and cranberries. They’ll put you in healthy holiday spirits, and help you avoid all those mega-calorie holiday drinks and the candies, pastries and other seasonal fare that turn every pantry, fridge and table into a high-calorie minefield. Here’s how:

▪  Shopping pick-me-up: Mint plus citrus. Oranges, tangerines and grapefruit were classic stocking stuffers in the 1930s and ’40s. Bring back the tradition by carrying a piece or two of in-season citrus with you. Pair with a cup of mint tea for a delicious break from shopping, or a snack anytime. Health bonus: You’ll get a booster shot of immune-strengthening vitamin C and compounds in mint that carry antiviral and antibacterial benefits, too.

▪  Office snack: Dried cranberries, dark-chocolate chips and walnuts. Pack a zipper-lock snack bag with a mix of these treasures. Keep the overall portion to about 1/4 cup in order to control calories. Health bonus: 70 percent cocoa dark chocolate — keep a serving to less than two-thirds of an ounce — lowers the risk of heart disease, according to several recent studies. Walnuts deliver satisfying fiber and good fats, while cranberries contain inflammation-soothing polyphenols.

▪  Winter warmer: Skinny hot cocoa with cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir cocoa into skim milk, add a pinch of sugar and a sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg. Health bonus: Skim milk provides bone-friendly calcium and muscle-building protein. Studies show that cinnamon helps control blood sugar, and nutmeg may discourage inflammation. And you know just how good cocoa is for you; it’s heart-friendly and mood-enhancing.

▪  A merrier bagged lunch: Chicken sandwich with holiday trimmings. Sprinkle a little rubbed sage and a couple of dried cranberries over chicken slices, lettuce and chopped basil on whole-grain bread. Avoid dryness by adding avocado or balsamic vinegar. Health bonus: Sage helps cool inflammation and fuels your body’s cell-protecting antioxidant system.

▪  Spicy dinner upgrade: Ginger topping. Fresh ginger gives vegetables and main-dish proteins an exotic lift. Its flavor kick makes a spicy substitute for marshmallow topping on yams or a creamy sauce for salmon. Use a grater to add as much as you want to sauteed or steamed vegetables, baked sweet potatoes, grilled salmon or poultry. Health bonus: Ginger delivers inflammation-calming compounds.

▪  Comforting breakfast: Hot cereal with dried cherries and warm spices. Say “no, thanks” to pastries and “yes, please” to your favorite hot, 100 percent whole-grain cereal, topped with dried fruit, a couple of walnuts and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Health bonus: You’ll feel full and satisfied for hours — a treat worth celebrating.

This story was originally published December 13, 2015 at 3:47 PM with the headline "The docs: Go spicy and beat the holiday weight gain."