It’s the most wonderful time of the year…..but not necessarily if you’re watching your waistline. How do you get through Christmas and New Year’s without feeling as stuffed as the turkey?
Gaining weight during the holiday season doesn’t have to be inevitable. But, it is important for you to know how to take control of your eating habits instead of letting the holiday parties and get-togethers take control of you.
Learn how to enjoy holiday festivities without compromising your health and fitness goals. Our comprehensive guide provides actionable tips to help you navigate through tempting food choices while maintaining a balanced diet
Meal Balance: Avoid Skipping Meals
Many people believe if they skip breakfast or lunch they can save up all those calories for the holiday party that night. It sounds like a good idea but skipping meals can make you crabby and tired besides the obvious of making you very hungry. Arriving at a party on an empty stomach only spells disaster as the odds are highly likely you’ll end up eating more calories than the ones you skipped earlier in the day. Eat breakfast and lunch and you’ll be better prepared to avoid overeating.
Fiber-Rich Pre-Party Snacks
Snack on fiber-filled foods just before you go. Fiber helps you feel full preventing you from eating more at the party. Choose foods with minimal calories such as crisp, fresh vegetables, fruit, a small salad, or a small bowl of oatmeal.
Enjoy Treats Mindfully
When you arrive, scope out the food selection at the party before you make any choices. It’s okay to choose small portions of items like cookies, pie, or chocolates, but fill up the majority of your plate – at least ¾ of the plate – with healthy vegetables, fruit, whole grain crackers, cheese, and lean meats.
Strategically Navigate Food Spaces
If you find yourself standing next to the counter or buffet table where all the irresistible, delicious food is displayed, move. Choose your food and drink and move to a different part of the room, facing away from the food table. By positioning yourself away from the food table, you reduce the temptation to graze, helping you to make more conscious food choices. As they say – out of sight, out of mind.
The Art of Mindful Eating
Resist the urge to pile your plate high with food, eating it rapidly and then going back for seconds. Slow down. It takes about 20 minutes for your brain to realize your stomach is getting full. Set your fork down between bites chew your food thoroughly and sip some water. Sit down while you eat. This prevents grazing around the food table. Enjoy the company of the people around you at the party. Engaging in a stimulating conversation is a great way to avoid overeating.
Smart Beverage Choices
It’s fun to try different beverages at a party, but gulping down liquid calories adds up quickly. Start off with a non-calorie beverage to help fill you up initially before trying a beverage with calories.
Also Read: 11 Of The Healthiest Alcoholic Drinks According To Nutritionists
Health-Conscious Recipe Adjustments
Recipes can easily be modified to reduce the fat and calorie amounts without compromising flavor. When a recipe calls for oil in cake, brownies, or muffins, a good substitution can be equal amounts of a fruit puree such as applesauce. Simple substitutions like using applesauce instead of oil in baking or opting for low-fat dairy products can make a significant difference in calorie content without compromising taste. The fruit will add flavor, moisture, and tenderness to the baked good. Another simple substitution could be substituting fat-free or low-fat milk when the recipe calls for whole-fat milk products. One of my favorites is to substitute nonfat, plain yogurt for sour cream.
Staying Active for Balance
The National Weight Control Registry examined strategies of people who were successful at either controlling or even losing weight during the holiday season. Their secret? They maintained an active exercise routine each day and weighed themselves daily.
Also Read: 5 Tips For Maintaining your Physical Health In The Winter
Conclusion
Cold winter weather doesn’t have to slow you down. In fact, embrace it. Going outdoors for a brisk walk or even snowshoeing can be quite invigorating. You’ll burn extra calories due to your body compensating for heat loss.
If exercising in the frigid outdoors is not your idea of a good time, join a gym or exercise class, invest in a treadmill or other exercise equipment you’ll use, use free exercise videos available on the internet or play music to get you moving. Any extra movement you get in during the day all adds up.
Empower yourself this holiday season with these practical and effective tips. By making mindful choices, you can fully enjoy the festivities while staying true to your health and wellness goals. Enjoy the food you do eat – just not too much – and revel in time spent with family and friends during this beautiful season.
