The Leaf | Healthy Weight Loss Blog

There’s no question that charcuterie boards are currently all the rage. While it’s certainly not a new idea—in fact, charcuterie style eating dates back to the 15 th century in France, according to TimesColonist.com—social media has blown this trend up. Whether for the holidays or just an everyday get-together, a classic charcuterie board is a great way to entertain. While these delicious spreads are a ton of fun, they’re not necessarily known for being terribly healthy. After all, Oxford Languages defines charcuterie as “cold cooked meats.” A charcuterie board is traditionally known for featuring a wide variety of cured meats and cheeses. But that’s not to say that you must be resigned to certain choices. There are certainly ways to boost the nutrition power and make a healthy, low-calorie charcuterie board with ingredients that you and your guests will still love. Here are a few of our best tips. 5 Delicious Mocktail Recipes You’ll Love Read More Step 1: Make wise low-calo

Thought you couldn’t enjoy the holidays and keep losing weight? Think again! These easy to assemble festive treats aren’t just adorable, they’re diet-friendly and Nutrisystem -approved, too! Prep a big batch of them and bring them to holiday gatherings, or have all the ingredients on hand and spend some time with the kiddies or grandkiddies creating the recipes together. Either way, we know you and your fellow party-goers will absolutely adore these perfectly themed holiday eats. So, without further ado, here are nine festive holiday recipes sure to keep you on the “Nice List” this year: 1. Santa’s Cheese Belts > With all the holiday hustling and bustling, who has time to spend hours in the kitchen preparing festive food? If you’re looking for a last minute treat to bring to your holiday gatherings, we’ve got you covered with these adorable Santa Cheese Belts, which couldn’t be any easier to make… or to eat! Requiring just three “ingredients” and taking mere seconds to prepare,

There’s nothing more relatable than a holiday binge: During the holidays, everyone has an occasion—OK, maybe a few occasions—where they go overboard on an eating binge. Sound like you? Don’t beat yourself up about it. Even if your festive feast makes you feel like you’ve gained 10 pounds, it’s not too late. Stressing about “going overboard” a single time can actually make things worse. In a 2014 study, scientists found that women who were stressed burned 104 fewer calories in the seven hours after a meal than those who were feeling stress-free, says The Ohio State University. But if you’re binging throughout the holiday “season” instead of on one or two special occasions, the results can really add up. Research, published in Nutrition & Metabolism , shows that Americans gain an average of one to two pounds during the holiday season, with most of the weight gained being fat. And trying to lose weight during the season can backfire for some: In a study, published in the Journal of

One of the best ways to add healthy options to your holiday table is with fruit! Fruit is packed with vitamins and antioxidants but it’s also sweet and delicious. We’ve rounded up 20 Christmas fruit ideas that cover appetizers, salads and desserts. 1. Strawberry Santa Hats > These little Strawberry Santa Hats are super simple to assemble and make an adorable addition to your Christmas dessert table. You could also serve them on mini pancakes for a fun Christmas morning breakfast. All you need to whip up these festive treats are strawberries, white chocolate chips, shaved coconut and mini marshmallows. 2. 28-Calorie Easy Holiday Fruit Cups > Chopped strawberries and pomegranate seeds are added to cups of red gelatin for a red-themed, Christmas fruit treat that is oh-so-easy to make! And at just 28 calories per cup, these Easy Holiday Fruit Cups are a guilt-free indulgence that will satisfy your sweet tooth. 3. Snowman Fruit Kabobs > Whether you’ve got kids or kids-a

Brussels sprouts are an excellent addition to any healthy eating regimen. According to Medical News Today, this cruciferous veggie is rich in calcium, vitamin C, vitamin K and beta-carotene. When simply boiled or steamed, Brussels sprouts are known to have a relatively bitter flavor. However, when cooked right, they can be absolutely delicious. That’s why we’ve rounded up 14 of our best easy Brussels sprouts recipes. If you haven’t tried them any way but steamed or boiled, now is the time to try something new! They might just become your new favorite veggie. Shopping Tips: When buying your Brussels sprouts, Medical News Today recommends finding sprouts that are still on the stalk. Smaller sprouts are more tender and sweeter than larger varieties. The leaves should be tight and firm. 1. Roasted Red Onion Brussels Sprouts > Roasting is one of our favorite ways to cook Brussels sprouts because the resulting caramelization is what brings out their best flavor. We understand that t

The holidays are here and it’s time to have some old fashioned family fun! If you’re home for the holidays, try some of these fun activities for a healthy holiday at home. 10 Ways to Prepare for a Healthy and Happy Holiday Season Read More 1. Bake some homemade goodies. It just isn’t the holiday season without some homemade holiday treats! Grab your apron and whip up some healthy baked goods that fit into your Nutrisystem plan . Got a sweet tooth? Try these 16 healthy and easy holiday cookie recipes! > Looking for something a little more savory? Check out these 11 healthy bread recipes! > They’re so delicious, the whole family will want some. 2. Have a Christmas movie marathon and game night. If you’re staying in with your family, you can celebrate the holiday with some classic holiday movies and board games. They are the perfect activities for family bonding! Looking for some healthy snacks to enjoy during your  movie marathon? The Leaf Weight Loss Blog has plenty