Don’t let seasonal temptations
sabotage your healthy
eating regimen.
The holidays are responsible
for as much as 10 pounds of
weight gain between November
and the New Year. Busy schedules
for holiday shopping can cut into time
previously used for exercise, as well as
for making healthy choices for meals
and snacks.
Prevent this from happening by
thinking through events that can result
in compulsive decisions about food
choices. Here are some savvy holiday
coping strategies for dealing with
some of the top holiday hurdles.
• Beware work temptations.
At the office, avoid the pitfall of baked
goods made for the holiday that are at
coffee breaks. If a small bite can become
a return for second helpings,
then don’t take any at all!
• Be smart about beverages.
Alcoholic drinks are not only more
calories, they can also trigger hunger
by lowering blood glucose. Beware of
beverages with an umbrella or fruit
and served in large glasses. These are
typically high in calories due to their
juice or creamy content.
• Eat before you attend holiday
gatherings. Don’t come to
parties hungry or you likely won’t be
able to pass on pre-dinner appetizers,
which can jack up calories because
they can typically be 100 calories each!
Eat a small snack before going to this
kind of party and skip the appetizers.
• Wage a battle with buffets.
An invitation to overeat, buffets can be
beaten if properly handled. You can
look at the entire buffet table and pick
only food that are really special and
keep the portions small. Remember,
the high-priced items like shrimp are
at the end of the line when plates are
full. Take a small spoonful of everything.
Choose three items and go back
for a moderate-sized second serving.
The holidays are the time of year to
enjoy good times. Taking these steps
may prevent gaining weight after the
party is over.