Practical Ways to Be Healthy This Fall

With back to school and cooler temperatures, fall is always the time of year when focusing on your health seems to be put on the back burner. You don’t have to let this busy time of year take the wind out of your sails though. There are certain things you can do to have a healthier fall for you and your family.

 

1. Make the most of seasonal foods.

We always think about apples and pumpkins in fall because it’s prime season for them. While pumpkin pie and pumpkin spice lattes aren’t so good for us, roasted pumpkin, pumpkin soup, or even mashed pumpkin is delicious and nutritious. Apples don’t need to go in pies to be sublime. Slice them up with your favorite nut butter smeared on top. Look for other seasonal foods that will do your health good, and you’ll find you can easily fill your plate with seasonal foods that you’ll love.

 

2. Prepare and protect from colds.

Ideally, you should do this before you notice everyone around you sniffling and sneezing. Keep your hands off your face and keep them clean. Don’t forget good rest and a proper, healthy diet will help you, too. By taking care of yourself, even if everyone else gets sick, you’ll be less likely to succumb to the germs.

 

3. Stay out of the candy trap.

Admit it. One of your favorite things about fall is Halloween. It’s a blast to decorate for and see all the kids in costume, but the most significant health problem we all face for this holiday is the surplus of candy. Tempting as it is to buy that big bag and stash it away for when the trick or treaters come around, don’t do it. If you can’t resist it, don’t buy it until just before Halloween, choose something you wouldn’t eat yourself, or even better, keep the neighborhood happy and healthy by buying small sticker packs instead.  There are numerous healthy Halloween options to choose from!

 

4. Get into the great outdoors.

With the colder weather, it’s nice to get outdoors and enjoy the crispness on your cheeks. It’s nice for hiking, biking, or just enjoying the change in the seasons. Staying active during the fall is an excellent way to keep your health in exceptional condition.

 

5. Make wise celebration choices.

Halloween is just the beginning. With fall comes football parties and then the holiday season where it’s an endless buffet of food, sweets, and ever-flowing libations. You don’t need to miss out on all the fun but do choose wisely when you’re eating. At parties, fill your plate up with veggies first before sampling sweets, so you’re too full to eat more than a bite or two. By doing that, you’ll avoid gaining weight by Christmas.

Don’t forget that fall should be fun, but if you fall into any of these fall pitfalls, take care and take steps to get back on track!

 

Share this blog with a few friends who might need some fall encouragement. You can also join me over in my Redeeming Nutrition Facebook community where we support, encourage and create healthy habits.