Eat healthy for the holidays

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Pediatrician Marta Katalenas was in studio on Sunday morning with anchor Brian Sanders to talk about healthy recipe substitutes for the holiday season.

Most people put off healthy eating to the new year, but Katalenas said it's never too soon to think about healthy alternatives, even during the holiday meals.

Katalenas talks about using fresh-cut fruit, rather than stuffing, to flavor a turkey breast. She also suggests yams, instead of brown sugar, in holiday recipes. Olive oil can substitute for butter. And most traditional recipes simply have too much sugar. Most people can cut the sugar in recipes in half.

Katalenas specializes in childhood obesity. Her latest book, the Step Up Diet , just came out in paperback.