Holiday eating doesn't have to be bad for you
Mmmm … turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie, holiday cookies and cocktail parties.
Many of us just write off our diets this time of year and happily resign ourselves to eating badly and lots of it. Why not make this year different? After all, the holiday eating is fun, but the holiday weight gain is not.
If you're anything like me, by New Year's Eve you're having a hard time squeezing into your baggiest jeans, let alone your best party outfit. This year let's put an end to the holiday weight gain cliche. But, where to start?
The best place to start is actually before the party. Before you go out, eat a light, healthy snack. This could be fruit, cereal, a little bowl of soup or some carrot sticks — anything that's healthy and will help you to curb your hunger and make better choices later on.
And what about those cocktail parties? Alcohol is full of calories. Limit yourself to one drink and then switch to water with a lime in it. Better yet, volunteer to be a designated driver so you won't be tempted.
Not only will you be sparing yourself the calories, but also any holiday party humiliation that you otherwise might have suffered. Karaoke to "Jingle Bells" on your boss's dining table? Not such a good idea.
Bring a low-fat dish to holiday parties. A veggie platter with light ranch dressing or festive fruit salads are great choices. Not only will other guests thank you, but you'll have something to eat that you know won't pack on the pounds.
Ahh, baked goods. Lucky for me, I can't bake. But for those of you who can and love to do it, try to keep minimal baked goods on hand. Only bake enough to give away or use for one party. And however tempting it might be, do not sample the batter! We all joke that sampled calories don't count, but they sure can add up.
Make sure you load up on the salad and veggie courses. As a rule of thumb, vegetables should take up at least half of your plate. Then a modest portion of meat and lastly, carbs. We get plenty of carbs throughout the season anyway, so skip the dinner rolls and pass on that second helping of stuffing.
Make a pact with a friend or your spouse to maintain your current weight through New Year's Day.
Support each other by steering toward the vegetables and offering roasted rather than friend turkey. This can get a bit tricky, though so make sure your reminders are gentle — no kicking each other under the table.
Exercise usually goes by the wayside this time of year. Not only are the weather uninviting and the days shorter, but with all the hustle and bustle there just doesn't seem to be time for it. Make time. Even a short walk after dinner can help keep our energy levels up and our desire for dessert down.
Most importantly, eat for you own individual health needs. If you are diabetic, make sure you're following the diet you need to stay healthy. If your heart is the trouble, stay away from fried foods and saturated fats. Alcohol can sometimes react very badly with certain medications. Read the warning labels on all your medications before you have a glass.
Like so many things in life, sometimes it's better to say "No, thank you" when all we really want to say is "yes, please!"
You know that uncomfortable, over-full feeling when you've eaten way too much. Why not avoid that this season and focus on enjoying the company rather than the food. After all, that's the real reason for gathering together over the holidays.