[December 13, 2018] |
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Quick and Easy Tips to Take Your Holidays from "Ho Hum" to Happy and Healthy
For many, the holiday season comes with family, friends and lots of
food. As part of the Healthy
for Life 20 by 20 initiative, to improve the health of Americans, Aramark
(NYSE: ARMK) and the American
Heart Association tapped into their experts to assemble a list of
healthy tips and tricks to help navigate the holiday season, without
sacrificing the flavor or fun of celebrating.
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https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181213005813/en/
Aramark and the American Heart Association have teamed up to empower and inspire individuals and families to make better food choices every day, including the holiday season. (Photo: Business Wire)
Aramark, the largest food service provider in the United States and one
of the largest employers of registered dietitians in the world, and the
American Heart Association, the leading voluntary health organization
devoted to a world of longer, healthier lives, have teamed
up to empower and inspire individuals and families to make better
food choices every day, including the holiday season.
Whether it's cooking for a crowd, or making smart kitchen swaps, Aramark
and the American Heart Association will help you put together a winning
holiday game plan.
COOKING FOR A CROWD
Aramark chefs serve two billion meals a year, so they're used to cooking
for a crowd every day of the week. Whether for a cocktail party, weekend
brunch or holiday dinner, these easy tips will make cooking
for a crowd a lot less daunting.
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Ask around. Before you get too far with your planning, note
anyone who has a food preference, allergy, intolerance, or any other
dietary needs or restrictions. While some guests may follow a
vegetarian or vegan diet, plenty of people are thinking more
plant-forward in general. Come up with a mix of meat, poultry,
seafood, and plant-forward offerings so every guest has a selection of
dishes to enjoy. It's a good idea to have at least one meatless main
dish for guests who follow a vegan or vegetarian diet.
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Plan ahead. Think about what you can take care of in the days
leading up to your event. Shopping is a no-brainer. Review all your
recipes and check your pantry to compile one master shopping list
before you even set foot in the grocery store. Again, buying in-season
produce will
help you save money, as will buying in bulk, which large parties
often require anyway. Once home, take stock of your cookware and
serving dishes, laying them out with sticky notes so you know which
food will go in which dish.
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Welcome helping hands (big and small). If someone offers to
help in the kitchen or contribute something, take them up on it! Even
kids can get in on the game: Let them toss a salad, set the table,
or handle washing the pots and pans. It's one less thing for you to do
as the host, and one more way to inspire their love of healthy home
cooking.
SMART KITCHEN SWAPS
There are plenty of healthy
baking swaps to lighten up your favorite Holiday treats. Considering
swapping out some of the items high in calories, sodium or saturated
fat, for a healthier alternative.
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One cup of unsweetened apple sauce can be swapped out for one cup of
sugar
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One cup of mashed bananas can be used to replace one cup of melted
butter or oil
-
Greek yogurt can be used to swap out for different ingredients such as
sour cream, butter, oil and heavy cream, but the ratios can vary
-
Instead of a fruit pie try making a fruit
crisp for the holidays, it has fewer calories
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Try replacing cream in recipes with regular or low-fat milk
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Use herbs and spices, like rosemary and cloves, to flavor dishes,
instead of salt or butter
EAT WELL, BE WELL TIPS
You can eat well and be well this holiday season, with these tasty
treats, party tricks and simple
strategies from the experts at the American Heart Association.
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Include lots of seasonal, colorful fruits and vegetables. Do
you decorate for the holidays with a lot of color? Treat your plate
the same way. Fruits and vegetables will add flavor, color and
nutrients to holiday favorites. And they help you feel fuller longer
so you can avoid the temptation to overeat.
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Navigate holiday parties like a boss. From the obligatory
workplace parties to family get-togethers, your calendar may be
bursting with opportunities to eat and drink outside of your regular
routine. Make a plan that will help you resist plowing through the
buffet table, like having a healthy snack beforehand.
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Sprinkle in opportunities to be active. Keep the inevitable
indulgences in check by staying active. Enjoy some winter sports, for
a change of pace, or schedule in a quick walk or workout before you
head to the next party. Remember, every little bit helps you get
closer to the recommended
amount of physical activity.
HOLIDAY HEALTH AND SAFETY
These
tips from Aramark's safety experts will keep safety top of mind
when preparing a holiday feast.
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Wash your hands. Hands must be washed AFTER using the restroom,
coughing, sneezing and handling raw foods and garbage. Always wash
your hands BEFORE starting to prepare food and in between tasks.
Handwashing is critical to preparing safe food.
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Thaw frozen food properly. It is recommended that a
refrigerator is used to thaw frozen food, so plan ahead. For every 5
pounds (2kg 270g) of large frozen food, allow 24 hours of refrigerator
thawing time. Place the food in a tray or container deep enough to
collect any draining fluids to prevent contamination of other foods in
the refrigerator.
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Use proper cooking temperatures. Cook raw meat products to the
minimum internal temperatures as stated on the product packaging.
Insert a thermometer (digital is preferred) at several spots including
the thickest part of the meat. Achieving the proper internal minimum
cooking temperature is critical to preparing safe food.
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Store and reheat leftovers safely. Leftovers must be cooled to
below 70°F (21°C) within 2 hours, and then to 41°F (5°C) or below
within 4 hours. Large items should be broken down into smaller items
by either physically breaking items apart or placing the item in
multiple small shallow containers. Keep refrigerated leftovers for 3
days from initial cooking or freeze for longer storage and reheat
leftover food once to 165°F (74°C) for 15 seconds.
HEALTHY MENU IDEAS
It's possible to eat healthy during the holidays without FOMO, or a
lot of effort. Here are some favorite recipes from Aramark and the
American Heart Association that will bring new flavors and twists on
holiday favorites to your table.
Visit www.fyp365.com
for more holiday tips and healthy recipes.
About Aramark
Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) proudly serves Fortune 500 companies, world
champion sports teams, state-of-the-art healthcare providers, the
world's leading educational institutions, iconic destinations and
cultural attractions, and numerous municipalities in 19 countries around
the world. Our 270,000 team members deliver experiences that enrich and
nourish millions of lives every day through innovative services in food,
facilities management and uniforms. We operate our business with social
responsibility, focusing on initiatives that support our diverse
workforce, advance consumer health and wellness, protect our
environment, and strengthen our communities. Aramark is recognized as
one of the World's Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE, as well as an
employer of choice by the Human Rights Campaign and Diversity Inc. Learn
more at http://www.aramark.com/ or
connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a leading force for a world of longer,
healthier lives. With nearly a century of lifesaving work, the
Dallas-based association is dedicated to ensuring equitable health for
all. We are a trustworthy source empowering people to improve their
heart health, brain health and well-being. We collaborate with numerous
organizations and millions of volunteers to fund innovative research,
advocate for stronger public health policies and share lifesaving
resources and information. Connect with us on heart.org,
Facebook,
Twitter
or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181213005813/en/
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