Lifestyle /
Tips For Staying Healthy During The Holidays
Dr. John Young Offers Tips On How To Stay Healthy Despite The Seasonal Snacks
It’s time for those elaborate and delicious holiday dinners with friends and family. During the holidays, it’s often glazed ham or roast turkey that's the centre of attention. But in South Asian homes, it's elaborate desserts, heavy curried dishes with loads of cream, and decadent meats. It's almost hard to stay healthy during these months. But not to fear. Dr. John Young, a medical doctor with more than 15 years of experience working in emergency rooms and pediatric hospitals, is here to help.
Dr. Young specializes in treating patients who have chronic diseases like diabetes by addressing not just the symptoms but also physiological issues. He also offers Young Health products, which incorporate the latest biochemical, physiological, and Nobel Prize–winning advances for optimal cellular nutrition. Young's professional achievements also include the book Beyond Treatment.
Young observes, “There’s a spike in heart attacks and other cardiac issues. The incidence of pneumonia cases spikes — in both cold and warm climates. And deaths from natural causes spike. In fact, more people die of natural causes on Christmas Day than any other day of the year!”
Here are some of the tips Young offers to help you stay healthy this season and throughout the year.
Eat Well
Protein is especially necessary for good health. Dr. Young recommends that you eat 1 gram for every 2.2 pounds of body weight daily. While fruits and vegetables are essential and necessary for health, he says, “Our immune system is made up of proteins — our bones are 40 percent protein. We need protein.”
When calculating your protein intake, you should consider eating an egg (8 grams) and 8 ounces of fish or chicken, which have about 30 grams of protein. If you're a vegetarian or vegan, like many South Asians, then you should consume green peas, quinoa, beans, nuts and nut butter, chick peas, tofu, edamame, and leafy greens — to name a few options. You should eat more than 100 grams of protein-rich foods a day.
Vitamin D Intake
Vitamin D is important to your health — especially when there's less sunlight during daylight savings time and the holidays. Vitamin D is a hormone, not a vitamin, and the best source is sunshine. Unfortunately, many of us don't get sunshine in the winter, as we stay inside to keep warm. As a result, many of us have vitamin D deficiency and should be taking supplements to make sure our bodies are healthy.
Dr. Young explains, “Vitamin D is crucial to many physiological systems, including our immune defenses. It helps fight bacterial and viral infections, including the flu. It supports our cardiovascular system; optimal vitamin D levels can reduce hypertension, heart attacks and stroke.” He says, “If I feel I’m coming down with a cold, I’ll take 40,000 units of vitamin D at bedtime. The next morning, I usually feel like a new person.”
Maintain Your Regimen
This is an important formula to make sure you're healthy enough to cope with stress during the holidays. Dr. Young says, “One of the many cellular benefits of exercise is that it increases the oxygen in our bloodstream. Every cell in our body requires oxygen, so consider exercise another means of feeding your cells.”
Stress management is also key to remaining healthy during the holidays, “Take time out to meditate, listen to music, or take a walk in the woods. It feels good — and it’s good for you!”
Featured Image: foodnetwork
COMMENTS
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
-
Not Into Flu Shots? Try These Centuries-Old Desi Home Remedies Instead!
-
Diwali Gift Guide: Barbie® Diwali Doll & 8 More Unique South Asian Gift Ideas
-
From Turkey To Tadka: Desi-Inspired Thanksgiving Recipes
-
Mommy's Time-Out: How To Reclaim Your Zen After The Back-to-School Scramble
-
Khichdi Cups & 5 South Asian School Lunch Recipes For Busy Desi Parents
-
6 Complaints Desi Grandparents Have About Keeping Pets & How You Can Counter Them
-
Raksha Bandhan Gift Guide: Celebrate The Festival With A Modern Twist!
-
Summer Elixirs: Healthy South Asian Cooling Drink Recipes To Beat The Heat
-
Stay Cool: Build a Summer Garden Oasis At Home With Tulsi & Shade
-
Celebrating International Yoga Day: Find Your Balance Through Chakra Meditation
-
Spice Up Your Summer BBQ With These 5 Mouthwatering South Asian Recipes
-
South Asian Heritage Month: Journey Through Time With 8 Iconic South Asian Travel Destinations
-
How To Add Ancient South Asian Spiritual Cleansing Rituals To Modern Spring Cleaning Techniques
-
Toronto's Living Luxe Design Show Sets a New Standard for Luxury Exhibitions
-
Savouring South Asian Style: Elevate Your Home Decor with Cultural Flair
-
6 Ways To Create Fun Quality Time With Your Kids & Parents That Both Will Love!
-
Celebrating South Asian Literature: Must-Read Books by Female Authors
-
Flavourful Festivities: Traditional Holi Recipes To Spice Up Your Table
-
The Living Luxe Design Show Presented By JennAir Announces Powerhouse Program Of Speakers
-
7 Ways Yoga Will Save Your Mental Health
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Can I Convince My Friend That Her Threatening Boyfriend Is The Problem, Not Me?
-
10 Tips To Manage & Survive Long-Distance Relationships
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: I'm Afraid My Childhood Bully Will Be Back In My Life, What Do I Do?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Create "Me Time" In My Demanding Life?
-
Hot Spot Alert: Mishree Cocktails & Cuisine Exhilarates With South Asian X Middle Eastern Cuisine
-
BioAro Founder Dr. Anmol Kapoor Wants You To Be The CEO Of Your Health
-
Savour the Holidays With This Paneer Pakora Recipe By KFI Sauces!
-
Here's How To Craft And Achieve Meaningful New Year's Resolutions
-
Snack It Up This Holiday Season with Indian-Inspired Potato Wedges by KFI Sauces
-
Butter Chicken Nachos Recipe By KFI Sauces Is Perfect For Your Holiday Spread
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Friend She's Taking My Emotional Support For Granted?
-
Anjali Pathak of Patak's Shares Her Favourite Recipes For The Holiday Season
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Why Does Our Family Get Togethers Always End With A Fight?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Sis-In-Law To Stop Intruding In My Daughter's Wedding Plans?
-
Event Alert: The Auric Living Conference Brings Holistic Healing To Toronto
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: I'm On The Outs With My Friend Because I Supported Her Breakup What Do I Do?
-
Event Alert: The Desai Foundation Rings In 10th Anniversary of "Diwali On The Hudson" Gala
-
South Asians & Arthritis: Busting Myths And Sharing Facts About This Disease In Our Community
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Convince My Kids That My Granddaughter's Best Friend Is A Bully?
-
Make Your Brunch Brilliant With This French Buckwheat Crepes & Dosas Recipe!
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Sis-In-Law That Her Messy Dog Is Not Welcome At My House?
-
You Just Need A Hot Pot To Make This Amazing Masala Style Vegan Tomato Soup
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Friend To Stop Interrupting Me?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Trust My Husband After He Cheated On Me?
-
Check Out This Insane Recipe For Mini Masala Idli
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Brother That His Cottage Rules Ruins All The Fun?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: What Do I Do When My Fiancé Shares His Dog With His Ex?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Convince My Partner That Our Six-Year-Old Is To Young For Sleepovers?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Deal With My Friend Who Always Wants To Start A Fight?
-
Here's Why Paris Calls Tharshan Selvarajah The Best Baguette Baker In The City
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Help! My Bestie Roommate Is A Nightmare
-
Pride 2023: Why Is India's Supreme Court Taking So Long To Legalize Same Sex Marriage?
