The holidays are filled with excitement and activity.  One way to help calm the crazy is to create structure and routine where possible.  Preparedness is the name of the game.  Here are 5 quick tips to help you out:

1. Don’t forget to eat and drink:  It may help to meal prep and plan on the weekend. Be sure to plan for 3 meals and a couple of handy snacks each day (try not to graze).  Look to see what is on your calendar for the week ahead and adjust your meal planning accordingly.  Even if it is take-out, mark it on the calendar that that meal is accounted for.  Staying hydrated is just as important.  Having a water bottle to sip on throughout the day is one way to help keep you hydrated.  Forgetting to eat often leads to over eating at the next opportunity, or not thinking about what you are really hungry for and grabbing anything and everything, usually not satisfying your taste buds.  Whatever you do, don’t forget to eat and drink.
2. Pre-plan: If you are headed out to holiday gatherings, especially with children, be sure to provide them with a mini-meal ahead of time.  This way, they can play to their heart’s content with friends and family and you don’t have to worry about them sitting down to eat a full meal.  Hungry kiddos can be unhappy kiddos.  Fill those bellies before the fun.  Possible options: 
3. A homemade charcuterie plate with deli meats (low sodium is best), low-fat cheeses, whole grain crackers, carrot sticks and cucumber slices
4. A yogurt bowl with low-fat Greek yogurt, fresh fruit slices, and granola
5. A bowl of whole grain cereal with low-fat milk topped with banana slices
6. A bowl of soup (low sodium is best) with whole grain crackers and low-fat cheese slices
7. Leftovers 
8. Eating healthy is the goal, but be sure not to overwhelm yourself with one more thing to do.  Enjoy the festive foods, just do so in moderation and be sure to plan to get your body moving each and every day. 
9. Enjoy the sunshine!  It may be brisk in your neck of the woods, but getting out and getting some fresh air will do your body some good.  Sunlight is a natural source of vitamin D, and in addition to physical activity has so many benefits.  Moving our body reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, improves mental health and clears your mind, helps with healthy sleep, helps with weight, and is great for muscle strength. 
10. Have easy to grab, filling foods readily available.  Or maybe it is making sure there are grab-and-go lunch and snack options available.  Maybe it is preparing a smoothie to throw in the blender in the morning.  Possible items to stock your fridge and pantry with:
11. Low-fat Greek (or regular) yogurt cups
12. Pre-washed and ready to eat carrot sticks, snap peas, broccoli florets
13. Pre-cut and wash apples or celery slices with pre-portioned peanut butter
14. Ready-to-pop popcorn 
15. Pre-portioned hummus and pretzels and carrots and/or guacamole and whole grain tortilla cups
16. Cheese sticks
17. Individually packed trail mix bags
18. Prep and have ready-to-eat hard-boiled eggs
19. Bean and cheese quesadillas
20. Cottage cheese topped with frozen strawberries