Your 4 Best Bets To Beat The Holiday BulgeBy Nicole Stevenson [Happy Holidays]
|
|||
 Whether it's Christmas or Hanukkah or just a big family dinner, most of us are faced with a meal of monumental proportions around holiday time. Before sitting down, decide exactly what you want, so you don't go crazy when you feast your eyes on the spread. If you want the traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings, eat lighter throughout the day and simply eat less when it comes to dinner. Allow yourself a single serving (the proper portion or less) of each dish you’ve been craving, eat it slowly and savour it to the last bite. Don’t get overwhelmed by a pile of mashed potatoes when what you really have your eye on are the yams. As well, try to avoid snacking on chips and high fat munchies prior to the meal, but don’t go in ravenous. Fill up on veggies, fruit or unsalted nuts before your meal and you won’t be quite so eager to pile on the stuffing. If your schedule and budget allow, offer to host your family’s big dinner this year. With all the running around you’ll do in preparation for a spectacular holiday event, you’ll not only get some activity into your day, but you won’t have as much free time to nibble. By paying attention to selection and portion size, you won’t end up consuming the estimated 3,000 calories a traditional turkey dinner racks up. Offer Office Alternatives It’s no secret that everyone loves to share goodies at the office. The lunchroom may be the hub of holiday snacking or it could be a table by the photocopier or water cooler. Wherever your office’s table of treats resides, the easiest way to overcome it is to avoid it whenever possible. But when people bring chocolates, candies and baked goods, you may not be able to ignore them. Sometimes taking a different route to the kitchen or vowing to stop sending faxes until the holidays are over just isn’t possible. In this case, bring your own healthy alternatives. Set out a bowl of unsalted nuts, which are filling and rich in good fats. Bring a fruit bowl and some disposable cups or secretly cut the fat and calories out of popular recipes. You’ll not only provide yourself a great alternative to Cookie Mountain and the Candy Cane Tree, but you may even start a healthy trend! Enjoy The Season With the stress that comes from the desire to make the holidays perfect, and with more invitations to social events, the opportunity and drive to eat more shoot sky-high. The average weight gain over the holiday season is 6 to 7 pounds. The holiday season can be quite emotional, but don’t turn to emotional eating to solve your problems. Get out and do something to alleviate stress. Don’t dwell on losses and loneliness; remember the good times and surround yourself with people you love. Remember, it's the holidays, and it's okay to indulge a little. Just set limits for yourself and go into every situation with knowledge and a plan and you won’t need to buy new pants by New Year’s. Sources: HealthCastle.com Mayo Clinic Weight Watchers TBO.com Wcbstv.com |
|||
| BACK | |||
|
|||
|
|||
