With a little knowledge, you can satisfy your craving for traditional holiday food favorites and still enjoy a guilt-free holiday feast. After all, getting stuffed is only a good idea if you’re a turkey!
Five survival tips for the holidays
Get active:
Create a calorie deficit by exercising to burn extra calories before you ever eat your favorite foods. Eating less and exercising more is the winning formula for preventing weight gain during the holidays.
Eat breakfast: While you may think it’s wise to save calories for the big meal, experts say eating a small meal in the morning can give you more control over your appetite. Start your day with a small but satisfying breakfast. Eating a nutritious meal with protein and fiber before you arrive will reduce your appetite and allow you to be more discerning in your food and drink choices.
Clarify: Whether you’re hosting a Christmas dinner or bringing a few dishes to share, make your recipes healthier with less fat, sugar and calories. Most recipes contain more sugar and fat than necessary, and no one will notice the difference if you skim calories by using lower calorie ingredients.
Monitor your portions: Holiday tables are lavish and beautiful displays of traditional family favorites. Before filling your plate, look at the buffet table and decide what to choose. Then choose reasonable portions of foods that you can’t live without. White turkey meat, plain vegetables, roasted sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, thin gravy and pumpkin pie are usually the best choices because they are lower in fat and calories. However, if you keep your portions small, you can enjoy whatever you want.
Skip the seconds: Try to resist the temptation to go back for a second helping. Leftovers taste much better the next day, and if you limit yourself to one plate, you’re less likely to overeat and have more room for a delicious dessert. Choose the best bets on the buffet. While we all have our own favorites, keep in mind that some holiday foods are better choices than others. Don’t waste your calories on foods you can eat all year round. Fill your plate with small portions of holiday favorites that appear only once a year so you can enjoy desirable, traditional dishes.
The holiday season is a time of celebration. With busy schedules and so many extra temptations, this is a good time to aim for weight maintenance rather than weight loss. This way, you’ll be ahead of the curve at the start of the new year if you can avoid gaining weight during the holidays.
