15
tips to avoid over eating this Christmas.
I
saw this article from a recent edition of the very informative
health newsletter from Six Wise.
This
holiday season could be the one where you defy the odds and put
on no pounds at all or (gasp) even lose a few. And don't worry --
it's not about denying yourself. In fact, the tips below are all
about satisfying your hunger and enjoying the season to its fullest,
without adding inches to your waistline.
- Eat
more of the healthy foods (this will leave less room for the desserts).
Some common healthy holiday foods are turkey, pork roast and chicken,
sweet potatoes, low-sugar cranberry sauce and veggies.
- Snack
on veggie crudités, a handful of nuts, or cold leftover
turkey to avoid binging at a party.
- Keep
alcoholic drinks to a minimum, and if you're going to drink, choose
a glass of red wine over eggnog.
- Eat
breakfast, and lunch, before the big dinner. Otherwise you'll
be starving and likely to eat more
- When
you're at parties, stand away from the food tables (so you can't
casually consume hundreds of extra calories).
- Keep
up with your exercise routine, or sneak in some extra activity
when you can (a few extra laps around the mall, a long walk after
dinner, a family trip to go ice-skating).
- Change
your mindset: if you expect to eat a lot during the holidays,
you will. But if you regard a holiday meal like any other meal,
you'll keep your eating under control.
- Holiday
meals are an excellent time to catch up with your friends and
loved ones ... and the more you talk, the less you'll eat
-
Serve yourself. This way, you can take small portions and skip
things you're not in love with altogether
- Indulge
wisely. If you're going to eat something "bad," make
it something you really love, and something you can only get at
this time of year (i.e. not mashed potatoes, bread and butter,
or chocolate chip cookies)
- Don't
eat to please others. Even if your great aunt made her famous
pecan pie, don't feel obligated to take a piece unless you really
want to.
- Make
it a point to engage others in conversation. You'll be distracted
from the food and will have a better time.
- Eat
slowly and wait at least 20 minutes before going back for seconds.
- Beat
the "I can only get this today" mentality by asking
the host for the recipes of dishes you love. This way, you'll
know that you can prepare them anytime you want (and there's no
need to eat all you can today).
- Deal
with your emotions. If you're overeating because you're lonely,
sad or anxious, treat yourself to a movie, a relaxing bath or
a walk to see the holiday lights -- anything that doesn't involve
food.
- Be
picky.
Pass up the daily treats at your office (eating a red and green
doughnut will not make your workday go any faster), the candy
bowl at the bank and the store-bought cookie tin your neighbor
gave you in favor of homemade treats you'll really savor
References
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