By: Health Insurance
Submitted: 2010-01-01 13:33:40 | Word Count: 643
1. Eat regular meals and snacks throughout the holidays. You may be tempted to skip meals to save calories for holiday parties or big meals, but this only slows down your metabolism. If you arrive at a party or dinner famished you are more likely to make poor food choices and eat a larger portion than if you were not hungry. Consider eating a protein bar before you go out so you are not hungry when you arrive.
2. Divert your attention. The holidays are about a lot more than food. Focus on and look forward to enjoying your family and friends' company, dancing or playing a game (not the food you plan on eating).
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3. Make healthy contributions to the holiday menu. Traditional food does not have to be drenched in butter, cheese or chocolate to be good. Modify your favorites to reduce calories, fat and sugar. I Can't Believe It's Not Butter spray and Splenda are excellent products that when used in place of regular margarine and sugar can cut the calories and fat content by 75 percent or more and will taste just as good as the original. Consider substituting applesauce for sugar in cookie recipes.
4. Step up the exercise. The holidays can be a busy, stressful time. Set a goal to get in at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day. Especially on the big day, get the entire family involved and encourage everyone to go for a walk or play a fun game of football in the yard after the big meal. And if you go for a walk, use hand weights.
5. Outsmart the buffet. When dinner is served, use the smallest plate available (try to get a salad plate) and don't stack your food. Fill your plate once and don't go back.
6. Be choosy about sweets. Limit your indulgences to one serving of what appeals most to you. Chances are there will be multiple desserts offered. Don't think that getting small portions of each one is smarter. Pick the dessert you would enjoy having most and eat one full portion of that.
7. Get out of the kitchen. Once you have filled your plate, move to another room and enjoy engaging in conversation. If you are helping with cleanup, chew a piece of gum to keep you from nibbling on leftovers.
8. Pace yourself. This should always be the rule and not just during holidays. Focus on chewing slowly and be conscious of when you are full. You should take about 20-30 minutes to eat a meal as it takes your body 20 minutes to register that you are full. Try putting your fork down between bites to help you do this.
9. Limit alcohol. Alcohol has a lot of calories, but it also lowers your inhibitions and you will not have as much control over your food choices. Make every attempt to avoid eggnog (it is astonishingly high in calories) and if you are going to have a mixed drink, use diet beverages as your mixer.
10. Give non-food gift items, such as gift cards or sessions with a personal trainer. Making cookies and brownies usually means licking the bowl and taste testing, which means more calories. Most people receiving these gifts are also concerned about holiday weight gain so they would probably prefer a non-food item. If you receive such a gift, enjoy one serving and put the rest in your freezer to enjoy over the coming months.
