Prevent Holiday Weight Gain

1. In the next few minutes we hope to provide some easy tips and tricks to enjoy the bounty of the holiday season AND prevent weight gain. For many, the holidays are a time for social gatherings with friends, family, fun, and lots of food and drinks. Are visions of holiday buffets dancing in your head? It’s important to start the season with a positive attitude. You’re not doomed to gain weight! Practice portion control: Celebrate the season, but concentrate on quality, not quantity. Use a smaller plate Eat a smart snack, like fresh fruit, before going to a party to control your hunger. Choose wisely by taking appropriate servings of veggies, whole grains, and lean meats. Take smaller servings of white potatoes and breads, creamy gravies and sauces, and sweets. Eat slowly and savor the flavor. Wait at least 20 minutes before taking seconds. In the next few minutes we hope to provide some easy tips and tricks to enjoy the bounty of the holiday season AND prevent weight gain. For many, the holidays are a time for social gatherings with friends, family, fun, and lots of food and drinks. Are visions of holiday buffets dancing in your head? It’s important to start the season with a positive attitude. You’re not doomed to gain weight! Practice portion control: Celebrate the season, but concentrate on quality, not quantity. Use a smaller plate Eat a smart snack, like fresh fruit, before going to a party to control your hunger. Choose wisely by taking appropriate servings of veggies, whole grains, and lean meats. Take smaller servings of white potatoes and breads, creamy gravies and sauces, and sweets. Eat slowly and savor the flavor. Wait at least 20 minutes before taking seconds.

2. In addition to watching what’s on your plate, be aware of what you’re drinking or nibbling on, too. It’s easy to lose track of calories when nibbling from a candy dish or working in the kitchen. Here are a few suggestions for preventing those calories from sneaking up on you: Go easy on high-calorie holiday beverages like: eggnog fruit punch and alcohol Chew sugar-free gum to keep your mouth occupied while preparing or serving meals. In addition to watching what’s on your plate, be aware of what you’re drinking or nibbling on, too. It’s easy to lose track of calories when nibbling from a candy dish or working in the kitchen. Here are a few suggestions for preventing those calories from sneaking up on you: Go easy on high-calorie holiday beverages like: eggnog fruit punch and alcohol Chew sugar-free gum to keep your mouth occupied while preparing or serving meals.

3. Watching what you put in your mouth is only half the battle. Keep moving to feel energized instead of sluggish. Make exercise a priority. Schedule time to move every day Go for a walk after a large meal to offset some of the calories you consumed Involve family and friends too — take a walk to enjoy the holiday decorations, play Frisbee, or shoot some hoops Use a pedometer and try to walk 10,000 steps every day Watching what you put in your mouth is only half the battle. Keep moving to feel energized instead of sluggish. Make exercise a priority. Schedule time to move every day Go for a walk after a large meal to offset some of the calories you consumed Involve family and friends too — take a walk to enjoy the holiday decorations, play Frisbee, or shoot some hoops Use a pedometer and try to walk 10,000 steps every day

4. The demands of the holidays may add extra stress, which can trigger mindless eating. Here are some ways to deal with it: Avoid using food to cope with stress. Instead, get some exercise – cope with sweat instead of sweets Read a book, or Schedule a massage Take care of yourself and prioritize activities to reduce stress: Plan ahead Focus on what is important to you Delegate tasks, and Ask for help when you need it. Get enough sleep to help you recharge. The demands of the holidays may add extra stress, which can trigger mindless eating. Here are some ways to deal with it: Avoid using food to cope with stress. Instead, get some exercise – cope with sweat instead of sweets Read a book, or Schedule a massage Take care of yourself and prioritize activities to reduce stress: Plan ahead Focus on what is important to you Delegate tasks, and Ask for help when you need it. Get enough sleep to help you recharge.