Ten holiday nutrition tips
Every year as we move into the holidays the parties begin, the libation flows and the goodies seem to appear at every turn.
It is so important to enjoy our traditions and rituals during the holiday season. Often these traditions and rituals include special foods and drinks and if everyone would simply enjoy the meal on that designated holiday and avoid overindulging from Thanksgiving Day to New Year’s Day, the average five-seven pound weight gain might not be a reality.
Rather than spending the holiday season falling off track so that you have to face weight loss after the season, prepare to stay the course with your exercise program and only indulge on the specific holiday. As always, prior to beginning any exercise program, please consult your physician.
Holiday Nutrition Tips
Tip 1: Only indulge in foods that you cannot have other times of year and choose a realistic portion size of this food. Enjoy one serving.
Tip 2: Enjoy preparing holiday foods without indulging during the preparation process. A taste to make certain the ingredients are correct is fine, but avoid tasting the meal before the meal begins. Ask others to taste so that no one is tasting every food.
Tip 3: Drink water before, during and after each meal to prevent dehydration, particularly if you are enjoying libations. Speaking of libation, beverages such as egg nog, for a half-cup, can pack up to 400-500kcal, so be cautious.
Tip 4: Eat before you attend the party. Have a healthy snack as this will prevent you from overindulging at the buffet table. And, speaking of buffet tables, avoid standing at the table. Pick up a plate, place those items that are truly special on the plate and then walk away.
Tip 5: Watch desserts such as pecan pie, which can pack 400-500kcal per serving and that does not include the ice cream or whipped cream. Either cut down the portion size or choose a lower-calorie alternative such as pumpkin pie.
Tip 6: Share! You and your party mate choose one plate and share the contents. No seconds. Just be satisfied with the one plate and support one another to make wise choices.
Tip 7: Watch Thanksgiving Day. Caloric consumption on this day alone can reach 3,500-4,000kcal, which is over a pound of fat!
Tip 8: Be cautious of the host or hostess preparing your plate. Politely request that you prepare your own to avoid unwanted foods.
Tip 9: Host your own holiday event and prepare wonderful meals that encourage reasonable consumption.
Tip 10: Send leftovers home with your guests. They will love it and you will not have unwanted food, other than a little bit for your family, hanging around the refrigerator.