Now that the holiday season is here, holiday foods and meals take center stage. And this is as it should be. Food is a terrific celebration of friendships, of family and of love. These celebrations do not have to lead you to unhealthy eating habits. With a little advance planning, you can really enjoy your food and the holidays. Remember that the mental attitude you bring to the table is as important as what's on the table.
1. Plan Ahead. Without thinking about what is likely to be served, the best intentions fall by the wayside faster than you can shake a drumstick. If you absolutely cannot pass up the cornbread or cinnamon buns warm from the oven or Aunt Fay's amazing apple cake, then you need to decide what and how much you will eat so someone does not have to roll you out. If you're going to eat the apple cake that's fine, but remember to eat fewer quiche and pastry puff appetizers when you arrive and to pace yourself throughout the meal.
2. Strategize. So if you're not eating puff pastry appetizers, what are you going to eat? If you're going to someone's house for the holidays or if it's in your home, serve something that is good to eat like a salad, lots of vegetables and maybe shrimp cocktails and take larger portions of those and smaller portions of the rest of the meal. Eat your vegetables first. They'll fill you up, leaving less room for the more calorie-packed stuffing, mashed potatoes and pie.
3. Relationships first, food second. Yes, the holidays have wonderful foods ? everywhere. But the reason you're gathered together with relatives and friends, rather than eating alone is to be in contact with people. Focus on the people and what you're doing instead of strategizing how to get those last potato puffs before Aunt Harriet does. Let Aunt Harriet have it. Besides, if her mouth is full, it will keep her from gossiping and give you the opportunity to connect with people you care about.
4. Eat small meals throughout the day. Do not make the mistake many people do of eating virtually nothing during the day to "save" extra calories for the big meal. You'll end up hungry and eat things you don't particularly like. Eat high-fiber mini meals for breakfast and lunch with snack (think whole fruit) in between to prevent an all-out binge.
5. Slow down. It takes 20 minutes for your brain to register fullness. Put down your fork and talk to your neighbor.
6. Water, Water, Water. We often eat, when we are really thirsty. Drink water before, during and after the meal so you are well hydrated.
7. "Let's toast the Holidays!" Although it is important to drink liquids, alcohol dehydrates you, acts as an aperitif and loosens your resolve to eat healthfully. Calories really add up ? and not just from the alcohol. Studies show that when we drink, we eat almost 20% more than our teetotaling friends. For an easy option, consider a wine spritzer or save the first toast for when the turkey is served, and sip four ounces instead of the usual eight.
8. Go for a walk. Instead of watching football on the couch all afternoon ? eating the chips and dips during time outs ? why don't you gather everyone for a long walk? Taking a 45-minute walk could use up almost 250 calories. This is a wonderful holiday tradition you could start. If nothing else, you're not home eating the leftovers.
9. Talk kindly to yourself. Banish the mantra, "I always gain weight over the holidays." Instead say to yourself, "I am giving myself the gift of health. I can eat and enjoy any food I want in moderation." Or as diet Dr. Gullo says, "Thin tastes better."
10. Enjoy the season of celebration. Remember the holidays are about coming from a place of gratitude. Now especially this year, we have a lot to be grateful for. Treat yourself well with friends, with loved ones and yes, with foods.
Helene Haber, HHC is a board certified health counselor who specializes in nutrition and whole health. She designs personalized wellness solutions for women of all ages looking to enhance their lives, get their bodies back in shape and their health back on track. I invite you to contact me at topcathelene@aol.com.
disinfecting cleaning services Arlington Heights ..Weight loss is an issue that affects men and women... Read More
Of all the possible exercises there are to help you... Read More
With weight loss comes a lot of dedication and change... Read More
My last article, Make Diets Work, concluded that dieting the... Read More
We have all heard of those new diets, Atkins, low... Read More
These days, Jennifer Secrist has little interest in idle activities.... Read More
We are inundated by exhortations to lose weight - from... Read More
Eighteen or twenty years ago, I was into high protein,... Read More
Breaking Down Cravings One at a TimeI know you've heard... Read More
Natural Weight Loss Is PermanentOnly natural weight loss can be... Read More
We all know it's hard to begin losing weight, no... Read More
When the DSHEA (Dietary Supplement Health Education Act) was passed... Read More
In this age being ignorant is like committing a crime.... Read More
Dieting and Exercising ? Results all the time!To be successful... Read More
Have you ever experienced this scenario before?"I have successfully lost... Read More
Two basic approaches to losing weight; one approach is correct... Read More
Hundreds of products on the market today claim to be... Read More
In our quest to get that "perfect" body, we actually... Read More
If you have been dieting and haven't lost weight, stop!... Read More
The Liver The function of your kidneys is to filter... Read More
You're always hungry right? The last thing you have time... Read More
Since the reintroduction of Ephedra based products on about April... Read More
It happens every morning when you mosey out of bed,... Read More
Weight Loss ? Basic Lessons for Sustained SuccessWeight loss is... Read More
Cut the Calories, Bring Out the BikiniSummer's almost here and... Read More
bathroom cleaning service Mundelein ..If you're serious about losing weight and getting fit, you... Read More
As our bodies move from Winter into Spring we can... Read More
Make sure you check out the meaning of many common... Read More
Using healthy low carb recipes are an important part of... Read More
Have you ever decided to take a trip somewhere relatively... Read More
To continue the educational series on your health and fitness... Read More
I really like Dr. Phil, so I wanted to like... Read More
1. Drink plenty of water. Our body needs a lot... Read More
Students today are faced with the serious reality of unwanted... Read More
"The sovereign invigorator of the body is exercise, and of... Read More
Making the Decision:Whether you are interested losing ten pounds that... Read More
Here are seven tips for getting the calories out of... Read More
If you're like most people who tried losing weight on... Read More
Ephedra and Ephedrine consumers are still under the assumption that... Read More
The incidences of deseases like obesity, diabetes, colon deseases etc.are... Read More
When we discover that we are heavier than we want... Read More
1.The first step to living a Glycemic Diet Lifestyle is... Read More
According to a recent survey by the National Health Institute,... Read More
CancerCoronary heart diseaseStrokeOsteoporosisMajor Depression from Brain StarvationHeadlines.WASHINGTON, Jun 22, 2004... Read More
I was at the grocery store the other day, doing... Read More
Have you ever wished for a diet where you ate... Read More
A fill is nothing to be worried about. The actual... Read More
One way of recognizing a fad diet is... Read More
As many of us know, it's the first few days... Read More
First of all we need to find out a reason... Read More
Weight Loss |