The holiday season is a time filled with holiday parties, family gatherings and lots of food - but with a little help, you can keep from eating too much during the holidays.
DON'T SKIP MEALS
It always sounds like a good idea but in fact it leaves you crabby, tired and headachey - ruining your fun for the evenings festivities. Plus when you are really hungry and surrounded by high-calorie holiday treats, you may easily turn into a raving eating-machine and consume many more calories than the ones you skipped earlier in the day,
EAT HIGH -FIBER FOODS BEFORE THE PARTY When you have a party to attend, snack on some fiber-filled foods just before you go. Fiber helps you feel full, and if you aren't feeling hungry, you might not eat so much at the party. For example low-cal veggies, a small salad, a piece of fruit or a small bowl of oatmeal.
EAT SMALL AMOUNTS OF THE FOODS YOU LOVE No one wants to feel deprived, so go ahead and take a small piece of pie or one cookie - but not both. And then fill the rest of your plate with healthier choices like veggies, whole wheat crackers, fruits, cheese or lean meats.
DON'T HANG AROUND THE BUFFET TABLE It's easy to stand around the table and graze. So make a plate, grab a drink and move to the other side of the room. Like they say - out of sight, out of mind.
PACE YOURSELF Slow down. It takes a few minutes for your brain to realize that your stomach is getting full, and you can eat a lot of extra food in those few minutes. Take smaller bites. Set the fork down in between bites. Sip water. Relax and enjoy the flavor of each mouthful. Chew each bite thoroughly before you swallow. Savor the food and remember that it is not a race to see who can eat the fastest.
DRINK PLENTY OF WATER People mistake mild dehydration for being hungry - and the best way to avoid that is to drink plenty of water. Slow down your eating by taking a sip of water in between bites. Have a glass or two of water before you start drinking alcohol and have one in between drinks to slow down your alcohol consumption (not only can cocktails be high in calories but overinduldging in alcohol can lower your awareness of how much you're eating.)
KEEP HEALTHY SNACKS AT WORK Co-workers like to bring in the holiday treats for all to snack on but if you keep healthy snacks handy (nuts, raisins, fruit, energy bars) at work, you will always have healthier options to fall back on. One treat is OK here and there - just not daily.
KEEP EXERCISING Exercise helps control your weight, your blood pressure, reduces stress and keeps your muscles and bones in good shape. The holidays are a hectic time - but if you keep up with your routine through the holidays - that one indulgent holiday treat won't land permanently on your hips or thighs. Stay on track!
DON'T BEAT YOURSELF UP, JUST GET BACK TO EATING HEALTHY It is difficult to avoid overeating during the holidays. If you do slip up now and then, don't beat yourself up for it. Be good to yourself. Remember that maintaining a healthy diet throughout the holidays takes practice. Forgive yourself and make sure your next meal or snack is a healthy one.
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