More Holiday Meals Ahead?
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Holiday foods are fun, plentiful, and tempting! But you can enjoy them without adding to your waistline if you keep your focus and follow a few healthy eating tips that have worked well for others:
- Ensure that exercise remains an important part of your routine. It will help with the extra calories, too. But be careful not to use it as an excuse to eat more than you'll actually burn exercising.
- Don't skip meals, and enjoy a low calorie snack at home before going to a social event where food will be served. That way you won't arrive feeling starved.
- At parties and buffets, grab a non-caloric beverage to sip on ASAP. For the food, start with vegetables, fruits, and lean deli meats. And eat slowly, so you'll have time to feel full before you eat too much. And time to enjoy the company, too!
- Yes, enjoy the company! That's the best place to keep your focus. Keep your mind centered on the people and conversations, and not on the food.
- Limit alcoholic drinks. Enjoy one or two, then switch to non-caloric beverages.
- Avoid unconscious nibbling. STEP AWAY FROM THE FOOD! At work, avoid areas where snacks are served. At home, you may find that chewing gum will help when you feel a strong temptation. Or try brushing your teeth.
- Plan all your meals and snacks so you are less likely to eat junk food when you are out. Pack healthy, low calorie snacks to eat between meals. And when you do eat out, use portion control to ensure that you don't overeat.
- In the spirit of the holidays, remember that the food gifts you make are for others. Package them up immediately to avoid temptation.
Many have found that they do better changing their focus from weight loss to weight maintenance during the holidays. Either way, you can enjoy the family, friends, spirit, warmth and food of the holidays without the regret of having eaten poorly. Enjoy it all.
Healthy regards,
Megan Porter, RD
