Top o’ the Morning to Your Health!

Are you seeing green and white everywhere? That could only mean one thing, St. Patty’s day! Typically St. Patty’s day celebrations are accompanied with soda bread, corned beef and cabbage, and lots of drinking. Events honoring this holiday are not isolated to just the day itself, usually the whole month of March is dedicated to this one holiday.

If you find yourself spending a lot of time engaging in the tastes of St. Patty’s you might find yourself a few pounds heavier by the time April rolls around. Have no fear; there is a way to engage in the celebrations while maintaining your health and weight, read on to find out how.

-Luckily the signature color green of St. Patty’s day corresponds with typically healthy foods, such as leafy greens, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, edamame and zucchini. There are lots of healthy dishes that can be made from these healthy options. Make a green salad, roasted broccoli or Brussels spouts or snack on edamame. If you are looking for something sweet, some green fruits include green grapes or apples.

-Eat corned beef in moderation and load your plate with more cabbage than corned beef to cut down on the extra fat and cholesterol. Try to drink in moderation, or replace the green beer with a green, health-packed, smoothie. Make your soda bread with whole-wheat flour instead of white flour.

-If you’re one of those devout St. Patty’s parade followers that keep you going to at least one or two parades each weekend, then it might do you well to prepare ahead. Pack a backpack full of healthy snacks to munch on while you are parading. If you are going to drink, be mindful of how much you are drinking, and make sure to drink lots of water in between each drink to minimize dehydration and the next-day hangover. And please, don’t drink and drive.

-Hold your own party this year instead of going to another. This will ensure you have more control over what is being served. Emphasize healthy recipes with lots of fruits and veggies, and if you are going to serve corned beef, make sure to trim the fat during preparation to make it leaner and healthier. Instead of butter on the potatoes, prepare them with spices for flavoring.

Now it’s your turn to take action: What will you do this St. Patty’s day to keep your health in check?