Eat, drink, and be merry. Right? Well, yes and no.
The holiday season is full of delicious, comforting food and drinks, but it can also become a time of stress, overeating, and weight gain. According to the National Institutes of Health, holiday eating can result an extra couple of pounds per year. And they don’t always come off! But the weight gain itself is not the issue (we need to love our bodies and not apply unhealthy standards to them), instead it’s an indication that we’ve lost the healthy balance of food, activity, and fun.
Here are some simple tips to help maintain that balance during the upcoming holiday season:
Ten Tips for Healthy Holiday Eating
1. Be realistic. Don’t try to lose pounds during the holidays, instead try to maintain your current weight.
2. Plan time for exercise. Exercise helps relieve holiday stress and prevent weight gain. Try 10- or 15-minute brisk walks twice a day.
3. Don’t skip meals. Before leaving for a party, eat a light snack like raw vegetables or a piece of fruit to curb your appetite.
4. Survey party buffets before filling your plate. Choose your favorite foods and skip your least favorite. Include vegetables and fruits to keep your plate balanced.
5. Eat until you are satisfied, not stuffed. Savor your favorite holiday treats while eating small portions.
6. Be careful with beverages. Alcohol can lessen inhibitions and induce overeating; non-alcoholic beverages can be full of calories and sugar.
7. If you overeat at one meal go light on the next.
8. Take the focus off food. Plan group activities with family and friends that aren’t all about food.
9. Bring your own healthy dish to a holiday gathering.
10. Practice Healthy Holiday Cooking.
For more information, check out: http://www.cpmc.org/about/e-health/11-05%20healthy-holidays.html