Can You Hear Those Holiday Foods Calling Your Name? Despite This You CAN Still Burn Fat, And Build Muscle

Despite what some of the "naysayers" actually say, you can have an occasional extravagant holiday food -- as long as you remember to include some "power foods" in your menus this season.

If you haven't already experienced it yet this month, you undoubtedly will. Unless you live in a bubble, it's hard to avoid it: Holiday Eating. Yes, by the way, it really is a ritual of the holiday season. There's no way to get around it. We just have to "eat our way through it" -- in the healthiest way we know! If we don't, it has the potential to be the quickest route to derailing a fat-burning, muscle-building regimen.

And we've all worked far too hard to get we are right here . . . right now to allow that to happen. We all know what we should eat. For the most part we do just fine making choices in this area. (Look how far you've come in this short of time.) Sometimes we just need to be reminded of this. This is especially true when the foods are whispering in one ear how delicious they are . . . and after all the holidays only happen once a year. Can you hear that cheesecake . . . the tiramisu . . . now?

It would do us well to review quickly some of the foods that are the alluring sirens seducing us.

Let's just look at that tiramisu. There's no taste that quite matches that fluffy decadence. My advice to you. If you can't hold out all holiday season, then go for at least a part of a piece. But savor every bite of it. You deserve to enjoy every bite of such a treat that fills all of your senses. But here is the calorie count. 602. That's for a piece that is barely three inches by three inches by a half inch tall. Wow!

And now let's check out that cheesecake. If you must choose, this seems to be the extravagance to select. One sixth of a piece of cheesecake pie is 257 calories. It seems conservative compared to that tiramisu now doesn't it? Still, if you can it's better to avoid it all together or share a piece with a close friend.

But what would the healthier choices be?

Well, as you're working that holiday party, gravitate naturally toward the fruit. Go easy on any dip - and you're right in the middle of fat-burning, muscle-building territory. Enjoy yourself. Chances are there aren't very many of you at this end of the table, but you may all be on similar health regimens. Don't be afraid to start up a casual conversation along these health topics.

Just about every holiday party table on raw vegetables. Here's another great area to linger at. And guaranteed, you're with like minded friends when you park yourself here!

Broccoli alone, for example, is bursting with vitamin K. Never heard of vitamin K? It's not one of those well known nutrients. But it is important in the transportation of calcium and metabolizes it into your skeleton. What does this mean to you in practical terms? More than you could imagine actually.

Vitamin K boosts bone mineral density for those individuals who suffer with osteoporosis, according to several new studies. But, this nutrient also helps to reduce the fracture rate of your bones as well.

Because of the amazing results of these studies, the Institute of Medicine has increased its daily recommendation of this nutrient to 90mcg for women and 120 mcg for men.

Want a tasty treat that feels as if you're being extravagant? Head straight for those macadamia nuts. This is a great tip if you're suffering from high cholesterol. We've only recently started extolling the benefits of nuts.

Macadamia nuts, in particular if several Australia studies published in the Journal of Nutrition, were found to be responsible for a decrease in cholesterol. In fact, of those who ate these nuts daily -- anywhere between 1 to 3 ounces a day -- seemed to promote a drop in the LDL by more than 5 percent. Meanwhile, these same men, simply by adding these nuts to their menus - improved the levels of good cholesterol nearly 8 percent! See not all holiday food is so bad?

Go ahead! Oh, I see a tiramisu crumb on your shirt already! Did you enjoy it? Good for you! And I also see your hands are already clutching that broccoli and macadamia nuts. Both great choices! After all, man does not live by macadamia nuts and broccoli alone!

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