Tips for Healthy Eating Over the Holidays
We all have that one crazy health nut in the family who enjoys eating healthy at all time but most of us don’t look forward to the added stress of holiday menus and holiday pounds. For those who need to eat healthy over the holidays, want to or not, here are a few survival tips.
1 – Be realistic:
Don’t try to lose pounds during the holidays, instead try to maintain your current weight.
2 – Plan time for exercise:
Exercise helps relieve holiday stress and prevent weight gain. A moderate and daily increase in exercise can help partially offset increased holiday eating. Try 10 or 15 minute brisk walks twice a day.
3 – Pre-game it:
Before leaving for a party, eat a light snack like raw vegetables or a piece of fruit to curb your appetite. You will be less tempted to over-indulge.
4 – Survey party buffets before filling your plate:
Choose your favourite foods and skip your least favourite. Include vegetables and fruits to keep your plate balanced.
5 – Eat until you are satisfied, not stuffed:
Savour your favourite holiday treats in small portions. Sit down, get comfortable, and enjoy.
6 – Be careful with beverages:
Alcohol can lessen inhibitions and induce overeating; non-alcoholic beverages can be full of calories and sugar.
7 – If you over eat at one meal, go light on the next:
It takes 500 calories per day (or 3,500 calories per week) above your normal/maintenance consumption to gain one pound. It is impossible to gain weight from one piece of pie!
8 – Take the focus off food:
Turn candy and cookie making time into non-edible projects like making wreaths, dough art decorations or a gingerbread house. Plan group activities with family and friends that aren’t all about food. Try serving a holiday meal to the community, playing games or going on a walking tour of decorated homes.
9 – Bring your own healthy dish to a holiday gathering:
The reason for this is because you don’t know whats going to be served and there’s a pretty good chance that the food isn’t going to be all that healthy.
10 – Practice healthy holiday cooking:
Preparing favourite dishes lower in fat and calories will help promote healthy holiday eating.
