Healthy Eating Tips for the Holidays
On average, Americans gain a pound or two during over the holiday season
Now this may not seem like a lot, but it all ads up in the end… and even a couple pounds of weigh gain is no way to start the new year for those of us with weight loss resolution
Here are 6 tips for keeping the holiday weight to a minimum
-Eat regular meals. There will be all sorts of delicious holiday foods to tempt you, and while it might seem counter intuitive, eating a substantial (but sensible) breakfast and lunch can keep you from raiding the holiday party buffet.
-Bring something healthy to the holiday party. Many see holiday time as an opportunity to make their most lushes dish – one that usually contain lots of calories. So why not go against the grain and make a healthy dish. This way you’ll know there will be at least one healthy option at the party
-Remember drinks have calories too! We sometimes can forget that the holiday drinks can pack as much calories as holiday dishes. Eggnog for instance has around 200 calories per 4-ounce serving. Liquids can make you feel not as full as food usually does, so it’s easy to consume more calories than realize
-Use a smaller portions. Smaller plates offer a sort of optical illusion which can make a smaller amount of food more substantial. Also, a littler plate will cut down on the amount of food you eat because you simply can’t the same amount of food on the dish
-Take your fiber. Eating high fiber foods first will not only take the edge off hunger, but fiber will also absorb water and make you feel fuller
-Eat slowly. Take your time eating. Be sure to take lots of sips of water, talk a lot, and enjoy the food at a leisurely pace. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes for your brain to get the signals that the stomach has had enough. Always take at least 15 minutes before even thinking about seconds
