Saturday, November 17, 2012

Holiday over eating

Holidays are a time to celebrate family and friends...AND food. Tasting a little here and a little there quickly adds calories. Food testing while baking and cooking adds to caloric intake. Taking a little nibble when "no one is looking" adds in the calories. Don't forget the consumption of alcohol. Mixed drinks, wine, beer and yes, even the "girly, pretty colored" drinks all add up to increased caloric intake. By the end of the day or evening you could have easily ingested triple the amount of your regular dietary intake.

With calories, comes increased fat, sodium and carbohydrates. The body will only utilize what is needed and stores the rest as fat. Unused carbohydrates are stored as fat. Excess sodium will hold on to water. In the short time it takes to ingest mass quantities of calories, it will take days or weeks for your body to rid the excess assuming you splurge only once.

After food and alcohol is digested the liver, kidneys and cardiovascular system is flooded with toxins. A whole cascade of events takes place with a rash of increased enzymatic and hormonal activity. All of which has health consequences. Rather than put your internal organs at risk for disease or illness, just simply avoid over-eating/drinking and keep yourself in check. Eat off smaller plates. If that is not possible, simply give yourself smaller portions. Limit alcohol intake.

What you do today determines your health later.

Good health,
Trisha M. Pacenti RN,BSN
www.nurseinsagent.com
drugstore.com, inc.