How To Avoid Gaining Weight During The Holidays
Holiday means a lot of parties, family gatherings, and plenty of food. It is not too hard to end up eating or drinking too much. On average, people gain 1-2 pounds during the holidays. 1-2 pounds is not a big deal. The problem is most people end up keeping that weight, and 10 years later you are 10-20 pounds heavier.
There are a lot of temptations around this time of the year - delicious holiday meals, pies, cookies, etc. But with a little help, you can avoid gaining extra pounds during the holidays.
Be realistic
Instead of trying to lose weight over the holidays, just strive to maintain your weight.
Don't skip meals
Many people believe that if they skip breakfast or lunch, they can save the calories for the holiday dinner. That sounds like a good idea, but skipping meals will make you really hungry. When surrounded by high calorie holiday treats, it is more likely that you will turn into a raving eating-machine and end up consuming more calories that you have saved earlier in the day.
Don't skip meals, just eat sensibly. Have a bowl of whole grain cereal with some almonds, fruits and low fat milk for breakfast. For lunch, have a big salad with some lean protein or a sandwich made with whole grain bread. This will keep your body fueled throughout the day.
If hungry, eat a snack before the party
It is not advisable to go to a party starving. You are better off having a nutritious snack before you go. A high fiber snack will keep you full and you might not eat as much at the party. A small salad, a piece of fruit, a cup of vegetable soup, a small bowl of cereal or oatmeal will curb the hunger.
Bring healthy food to parties
If you are bringing food to a party, bring something healthier so that you can eat it without feeling guilty. Salads, vegetarian lasagna, hummus with cut up vegetables are some good choices.
Cook healthier foods
If you are hosting, prepare healthier versions of traditional recipes. Please see the section below on Healthy Holiday Cooking Tips.
Use a smaller plate
Studies have shown that people who use smaller plates generally eat less. It is also more satisfying to see that you have a full plate of food even though you are using a smaller plate.
Make smarter choices of food
Load up the plate with healthy vegetables, fruits, whole grain crackers, and lean meats. Beware of cream-based soups or sauces, stuffing and gravy loaded with fatty ingredients, and pumpkin desserts with tons of cream, butter, and sugar.
Eat smaller amounts of the less healthy foods that you love. No one wants to feel deprived, so look over the buffet or serving table and pick out something that you really would enjoy. Take a small portion and savor it slowly.
Chew your food and pace yourself
Savor every bite of your food. Chew each bite thoroughly before you swallow. Avoid gulping it down as if someone is trying to steal it from you. This will give your stomach time to register the feeling of fullness. Set your fork down between bites. Have a sip of water. Relax and enjoy your company and the conversation.
Drink plenty of water
Mild dehydration can give you the feeling of hunger. Have a glass or two of water before you start drinking alcoholic beverages, and have one in between drinks to slow down the alcohol consumption. When you drink too much alcohol, you are prone to overeat too.
Watch out for seasonal beverages
Hot toddies may keep you warm at night, but these hot drinks, along with hot chocolate, pumpkin-spice lattes, eggnog, and apple cider are a quick and easy way to take in a lot of extra calories. A 16-oz Starbuck's pumpkin spice latte with 2% milk and whipped cream packs 380 calories, while the same size caramel apple cider has 410 calories.
Don't hang around the buffet table
Once you have gotten your food, move to a different part of the room. As they say - out of sight, out of mind. At least, you will have to think about what you have to do before refilling your plate.
Give away leftovers to guests
Offer your guests to take home some of the leftovers or politely decline to take them home. You do not want to have a lot of unhealthy foods sitting in your fridge because it is just too much temptation for the next day.
Ask for support
Tell your family and friends that you are trying to avoid gaining weight during the holidays. Ask for their support and encouragement.
Keep exercising
Exercise is a great way to control your weight and reduce stress during the holidays. Keep your exercise routines going, that way the occasional treat won't land permanently on your thighs or belly. Even if you are so busy that you have to cut your workout time in half, it still keeps you in the routine. Because once you stop, it's very difficult to start up again.
Don't beat yourself up, just get back to healthy eating
Forgive yourself and make sure your next meal or snack is a healthy one, and the next meal after that, and the next one, and so on.
