Halloween is behind us, but Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve are just around the corner. That means pumpkin pie, sugar cookies and homemade candies are coming! Add in some turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, prime rib, cheese balls, the list is endless of delicious foods that are going to make an appearance on your table in the next 60 days.
At this time of year, making wise food choices can be a real challenge to maintaining your weight. The key to not gaining weight through the holidays is to make healthy eating the first choice. Telling yourself that you cannot enjoy a holiday meal is not realistic. Instead, focus on moving more and making healthy eating choices the goals. Here are a couple ideas:
At this time of year, making wise food choices can be a real challenge to maintaining your weight. The key to not gaining weight through the holidays is to make healthy eating the first choice. Telling yourself that you cannot enjoy a holiday meal is not realistic. Instead, focus on moving more and making healthy eating choices the goals. Here are a couple ideas:
- Take a brisk walk every morning, especially during the holidays, to proactively burn calories before they add inches to your waistline.Break a sweat for 30 minutes!
- At home, keep fresh fruit on the counter and stock the refrigerator with colorful vegetables in single serving packages.Eat them!
- At the restaurant, ask for baked or broiled fish and low-sodium entrees. Take half of your meal home for the next day.
- Try eating on smaller plates and keep snacks hidden.Out of sight, out of mind.
- Substitute fat-free yogurt in dips and sauces instead of cream cheese or sour cream.Low-fat cheese is an easy way to reduce calories and fat.They will never know the difference!
- Limit alcohol.A glass of wine can have the same calories as four cookies? A beer can be equivalent in calories to a slice of pizza.
- Stay away from the candy dish.Better yet, don’t have one on your desk at work.
- Don’t skip meals before heading out to a holiday party.Instead have small servings of low-calorie foods throughout the day so you are not hungry when you arrive at the party.
- Survey the buffet table before you start grabbing food.Indulge in one or two little treats.
- Monitor stress levels through the holidays so that you do not binge eat because you are over tired or overloaded.If you make an unhealthy choice, get right back on track at the next meal.
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