Low Carbing for the Holidays Our best hints to help you enjoy this busy season!

1. Stay active. Walk, or indulge in your favorite form of exercise. Yoga and pilates can be particularly de-stressing. Physical activity improves your metabolism, blood sugar, and reduces body fat. Not only that, but being physically active improves your mental well-being and helps to reduce stress.

2. Worried about what to eat at those holiday get-togethers? Pick the protein: cheese, eggs, nuts, meat, and fish. Low glycemic veggies like broccoli, cauliflower and spinach are always a great choice.

3. Control the carbohydrates to prevent weight gain and energy crashes. Starchy dishes like rice, white bread, stuffing, corn or potatoes should stay on the serving table. Treat sugary sweets like eggnog, candy, cookies, cake and soft drinks as though they are your worst enemies. Have nothing to do with them!

4. Munch on non-starchy, low glycemic veggies like broccoli, mushrooms, jicama and celery. Avoid carrots and most other root vegetables. Most dips are fine, since they are usually savory and not sweet.

5. Packed with protein, vitamin E, magnesium and healthy fats, nuts in small amounts are good for you. Almonds, macadamia nuts, walnuts, and hazelnuts are among your healthiest choices. Take a small bag of your favorite nuts on your shopping trip to avoid the temptation of the Food Court!

6. Hungry for fruit? Check out the glycemic index for the best choices: apples and pears are in season and won't raise your blood sugar levels. Stone-centered fruits like apricots and peaches are low glycemic fruits, as well. Avoid tropical fruits like pineapple.

7. Make a conscious effort to include high fiber foods whenever possible. Choose whole grains, green vegetables, legumes, and low glycemic fruit on a regular basis and do watch your portion sizes.

8. Avoid alcohol. Alcohol can interfere with the work of the liver. If you decide to drink at a holiday party, have just one glass of red wine with food, and watch your other carbs during that day. Then switch to mineral water or even plain water with lime or lemon.

9. Don't forget to take your vitamins. Along with your regular vitamins, consider taking chromium picolinate and alpha lipoic acid, both of which can improve blood sugar metabolism and the efficiency of insulin. Some suggest taking herb milk thistle if you do indulge in alcohol (three times daily before meals).

10. Reach for the probiotics. Changing your eating habits during the holidays can create digestive problems. Probiotics replenish the healthy flora in your colon.

11. Be sure to get enough sleep. Losing sleep can have a negative influence on your body's ability to process carbohydrates.

12. Drink lots of water. Staying hydrated helps with weight control, removes toxins, and allows your body to avoid fatigue.

This article is copyrighted by Shake Off the Sugar (Lynn Stephens).