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THE HOLIDAY SEASON CAN BE a perilous time when you’re trying to avoid weight gain or simply make healthier food choices. Not only are there food temptations at every turn, but it can also seem as though friends and family become even more persistent in plying you with high-calorie treats when they discover you’re trying to avoid overindulgence.
The fact is, falling off the weightloss wagon over the holidays can erase your prior success quicker than you can say “plum pudding,” so here are a few simple tips that will help you enjoy holiday gatherings without the guilt:
Don’t fast in anticipation
It’s not uncommon for people to consume an entire day’s worth (or more) of calories at holiday feasts, so it would seem logical to skip breakfast and/or lunch in anticipation of the big meal ahead. But this all-too-common mistake will leave you feeling famished—and virtually certain to overindulge—by the time you’re sitting down for dinner. Eat a wholesome, sensible breakfast and lunch ahead of the feast, and you’ll have much more self-control come dinnertime.
Beware deadly double duty!
As many couples can attest, doing “double duty”—i.e., attending both family’s holiday meals, in some cases on the same day—comes with the territory of a committed relationship. However, double duty can also equal double jeopardy to your waistline. That means you have to be doubly vigilant against overindulgence. The key in this scenario—or any other family or social circumstance that requires you to attend two holiday feasts back-to-back—is to be highly selective in the foods you eat at each meal and limit your portion sizes.
Fill approximately half of your plate with healthy vegetables and fruits and the rest with a sampling (just a small spoonful) from each of your favorite dishes. That way, you’ll have an opportunity to enjoy a taste of all your favorites without overdoing it. If there are sides on the table that you aren’t particularly interested in or that you know will trigger an urge to overeat, don’t feel you need to eat them just to be polite. Also, be sure to fill your plate only one time—no going back for seconds!
Soda pop and alcoholic beverages contain a lot of empty calories. Why not opt to drink water instead? For a little zing, you can always squeeze a little lemon juice into it. Add a little granulated stevia to the mix and you’ve got a sweet, refreshing, calorie-free beverage. Drinking water will also increase your sense of satiety—or fullness—so you will be less inclined to eat as much food.
Eat slowly
During dinner, take small bites, chew slowly, and savor what you have in front of you. Occasionally, put your fork down and just enjoy the conversation. This will give your brain time to receive the message that your stomach is getting full.
Be mindful of “extras”
Continually circulating around every holiday table is a basket full of bread, rolls, biscuits, or croissants— often liberally buttered to make them even more tantalizing to the taste buds. Be aware of how many calories these little “extras” can add to your holiday meal. Your best bet is to forego these extras altogether—or enjoy a single helping—and just pass the basket along whenever it comes your way. ✲
