Photo of fruits and veggies in the grocery store.

Healthy Eating During the Holiday Season

TAMPA – The holidays are upon us and so are the potlucks and family meals. If you are looking for ways to stay healthy this holiday season, Malia’s Medical Minute has you covered.

Balance is key when it comes to enjoying holiday meals. “Everybody is allowed to indulge. It’s just in moderation,” says resident physician Samari Blair. “Try to avoid high fructose corn syrup and like pies and stuff like that.”

Samari advises to try and make your own desserts that have healthier ingredients that don’t include artificial substances that are used in store bought items to keep them preserved on the shelves.

Having alternatives for some of the unhealthier dishes can also help you have a healthy holiday. By using ingredients with less fat and salt, you can create cleaner versions of your traditional recipes.

Top Light Displays in Tampa Bay

Tampa is a hotspot for lighting up the bay with Christmas spirit. Sparkman Wharf, Water Street and Hyde Park are some of the most festive spots in the Bay Area.

In Channelside, Sparkman Wharf offers a colorful display of decor and includes multiple photo opportunities for the entire family to take photos on Santa’s sleigh. After visiting, you can take a short stroll to Water Street’s light display, where there is a variety of events, live music and light decorations.

Over in Hyde Park Village — the Christmas tree is the center of attention. While enjoying the lights you can take advantage of all the restaurants and stores Hyde Park has to offer.

If you are willing to go a little further away from the heart of Tampa, you can experience the Symphony in Lights — a free Christmas light show located in the Wesley Chapel area at the Wiregrass Mall. The show plays four times a day and is made for the whole family.

Credits

  • Anchor: Marissa Stiff
  • Editors: Melissa Baldelomar, Paula Sanchez
  • Reporters: Valeria Maldonado, Malia Knight
  • Producer: Sofia Reyes
  • Web Editor: Fallon Crowell
  • Audio: Samantha Allen
  • Social Media: Marla Rodriguez
  • Camera: Victoria Harris
  • Teleprompter: Ava Jochims
  • Graduate Assistant: Grace Ficara
  • Faculty Advisor: Dr. Stephanie Anderson