Five healthy foods you should be eating this holiday season

During the holidays, most American adults gain 5-7 pounds from sweets, rich foods and calorie-laden drinks. But the holidays also offer an array of healthy foods to choose from. Here are five nutritious foods to indulge in during the holidays so you can continue to enjoy one of the greatest gifts of all: your health and wellbeing!

1) Cranberries

Because they’re harvested in the late fall, cranberries have become synonymous with the holiday season. In addition to their festive color, cranberries contain important nutrients, including Vitamin C and several antioxidant compounds. They also contain proanthocyanidins, which help lower blood pressure and cholesterol. As an added benefit, cranberries have also been shown to reduce the risk of urinary tract infections in women.

2) Sweet potatoes

This vibrant orange vegetable makes frequent appearances during the holiday season, which is good news! Because sweet potatoes are one of the best sources of Vitamin A, which helps maintain a healthy immune system by boosting antibody production. If you eat at least 3-5 grams of fat with your sweet potato, you’ll absorb even higher amounts of this essential immune system ingredient.

3) Pomegranates

The crunchy, sweet red seeds of the pomegranate fruit are loaded with nutrients, including fiber, folate, Vitamin K and potassium. Also, they give your immune system a big boost, because one cup of pomegranate seeds contains a whopping 30% of your recommended Vitamin C intake!

4) Pumpkins

Pumpkins contain potassium, an electrolyte that promotes heart health and lowers blood pressure. Pumpkins also have lots of antioxidants, Vitamin A, fiber and Vitamin C. The other good news is that one cup of pumpkin has only 49 calories! (Just make sure to avoid canned pumpkin pie filling since it has lots of sugar and artificial additives.)

5) Brussel sprouts

Brussel sprouts are one of the top 20 most-nutritious foods according to the Aggregate Nutrient Density Index, a ratio of calorie content to nutrient value. A single serving will provide you with your daily recommended amount of Vitamin C and Vitamin K!

We're here if you need us

At Urgent Care, we want you to be as happy and healthy as possible this holiday season! We’re open seven days a week to care for you. If you have a minor injury or illness, don’t put off getting the care you need. We offer an easy check-in process and online registration. Just walk-in or save your spot online.