What’s the most difficult part of the holidays when you are trying to stay (or get) healthy?

The food!

 

Whether you’re trying to lose weight, maintain your weight, or just be more conscious of what enters your body, the holiday season can present tremendous temptations.
Here are our 10 tips to get you by and keep those extra pounds off!

 

  1. Eat what you LOVE, leave what you LIKE

The amount of food we encounter during the holidays can be overwhelming. How are we supposed to choose between the fudge, pumpkin pie, brown sugar ham, chocolate covered peanuts, and so much more!? Keep it simple. What foods do you love and what foods do you like? Allow yourself the foods you love, in small portions, and skip the foods you don’t. Before filling your plate, have a game plan. Pick out the ‘loves’ and the ‘likes’ before getting in line to fill your plate so you’re not left to make an impulse decision.

 

  1. Make only 1 day a treat day – not the whole season

Refrain from continuing to eat as if it’s still the holiday. It can be difficult going from one holiday to another but limit yourself to only one day of treats for each holiday. The stretch between Thanksgiving and Christmas and the “it’s the holidays” mentality typically sets in and people lose track of what and how much they are actually eating. Once Thanksgiving is over, continue with your normal, healthy eating and then when Christmas arrives, treat yourself again just for that one day.

 

  1. Don’t punish yourself with guilt

Punishing yourself after having a food you normally wouldn’t allow yourself is the worst thing you can do. The guilt will make one of two things happen; either you will punish yourself by not eating the rest of the day, or you will think “oh well, I already messed up” and continue to overindulge yourself. Mentally prepare and allow yourself treats to avoid feeling guilty.

 

  1. Eat low to high calorie foods

Avoid eating yourself into a coma by starting with lower calorie but nutrient-dense foods such as salad or soup. Then, have a lean and filling protein such as chicken or turkey. Leave your treats for last so once you reach them, you aren’t as hungry and don’t overeat on them.

 

  1. Alternate (or mix) your drinks with water

Holiday gatherings tend to include alcohol. If you participate in drinking, try diluting or alternating your beverages with water. This will keep you hydrated as well as lessen the amount of alcohol you consume. Also, choose less sugary drinks and you will save a ton of calories.

 

  1. Make holiday treats year-round

Don’t wait for Thanksgiving to have pumpkin pie, or Christmas to have brown sugar ham. Allow these foods as treats throughout the year to keep yourself from having the “last-chance eating” mentality because you only get that food once a year.

 

  1. Gatherings are to GATHER not to EAT

The holidays involve loads of food, but they should not revolve around food. The purpose of social gatherings is to enjoy the company of one another, not to eat. Keep this in mind at your get-together. Focus on the social aspect and stay away from the food table.

 

  1. Wear your “skinny” jeans

This is the time of year when most of us break out the elastic pants and the baggy sweater. Do the opposite this year. Wear your best-fitting jeans or a semi-tight dress/blouse to keep yourself more conscious of what you eat. If you’re afraid of busting your buttons open, you won’t gorge yourself!

 

  1. Try the “fork trick”

Instead of using the shovel method and continuously stuffing food in your mouth, set your fork down between bites. Chew your food completely, wait a few seconds, pick your fork back up and continue with another bite. Not only will you notice when you’re full sooner, but you will be able to actually enjoy and savor each bite.

 

  1. Drink half your body weight in ounces of water

Water. Water. Water. Drink it! Water will keep you hydrated as you consume the higher salt and sugar foods you may not be used to.
It will also fill your stomach up, allowing less room for food and more satiety.

 

 

Enjoy the holiday season! Visit with family, have a few treats, laugh, and don’t stress over food. It’s just food! Remember what the holidays are really about.

 

Need healthy holiday treat ideas?
Here are two of Kim’s favorites!!