The good news is that weight gain during the holidays is preventable. Here are some tips to help you avoid gaining excess pounds:
- Move – take a brisk walk before and after meals with family or friends
- Be smart – stay away from high-carb cookies and candies, keep snacks out of sight.
- Watch portion sizes – consider eating off smaller plates or try to measure your food intake
- Savor the meal – try to sit down and eat together, put electronics down and make the meal last 20 minutes!
- Get extra sleep – sleep deprivation will make you crabby and cause you to gain weight
- Control stress levels – create a 30-day to do list and try to check off items each day so that you are not so rushed at the end
- Fiber – fiber is hard to get in during the holidays so eat extra fruits and veggies so you don’t get backed up
- Taste testing – you have made this recipe 25 times, you don’t need to taste test every single thing you bake or cook before supper!
- Potluck – consider bringing a healthy dish to share, others might just like it!
- Dessert – yes you can have dessert, but try to pick only your favorite one
- Limit liquid calories in alcohol, soda and other sweetened beverages such as Egg Nog.
- Cheat on recipes and try to reduce calories when you are baking or cooking. Quick ideas are use low-fat milk or Greek yogurt instead of cream cheese or sour cream. Substitute applesauce and dried fruit instead of butter or oil.
- Weigh yourself every couple of days to keep yourself on track!
- Buddy up with someone who will keep you accountable for exercising and putting the fork down faster!
- Avoid fast food traps and eat a healthy snack at home so you are not tempted to overeat at a party.
- Make a new rule: no second or third helpings of anything this holiday season!