Every year, the average person gains 1 pound. And most of that, 0.8 pounds, occurs between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Holidays bring friends and families together, but they also create an atmosphere that makes people susceptible to food over-indulgence. If you practice moderation and portion control, you can enjoy the holidays and avoid the unwanted weight. Here are a few diet tips to help.
Denial Doesn’t Work – Moderation Does: When faced with the holiday excess, take a taste. Denying yourself everything will not work – you will be hungry and unhappy. And your host may be insulted, too. Instead, portion control is the key here. Just remember to keep those tastes small. Instead of drenching your turkey in gravy, put a little sauce on the side and dip each piece accordingly. Go easy on the extras – the toppings and unhealthy foods. Practice moderation, and enjoy.
Go to Parties Full, by Drinking Water First: Studies show that drinking liquid before a meal help you feel full and reduce the amount you eat. Around 30 minutes before you head out to that holiday party, have a glass of sparkling water. Then, when you arrive, you’ll look at all the food differently, because you will already feel somewhat full. In addition, don’t skip meals – by eating small meals throughout the day you’ll always have food in your body. This virtually eliminates the feeling of hunger, which leads to eating less.
Pace Yourself, Don’t Race: Finishing first isn’t the goal when you’re eating large meals! When food is shoveled into your body, your stomach doesn’t have a chance to tell you that it’s full. Eat food slowly, and allow your stomach to fill up normally. And pay attention to what you are eating. When you take the time to enjoy each mouthful, you may discover that you don’t need as much to feel satiated.
Keep Your Dominant Hand Busy: It’s helpful to hold onto something with your dominant hand. Whether that something is a glass of water, or your loved-one’s hand, research says that you will be less likely to pick up something to eat if your hand is already busy.
Choose Your Drinks Wisely: When you think of calories, you think of foods. Something often overlooked is the hidden calorie content in alcoholic and sugary/sweet drinks. One margarita has 453 calories, that’s the same as eating a McDonald’s Big Mac! And it’s not just alcoholic drinks that are a problem. A Starbuck’s Frappuccino can top 500 calories – that’s more than a slice of pepperoni pizza! You really have to watch your serving sizes and total calorie intake!
The holidays are a great time to celebrate and family dinners are always events we remember and cherish. Don’t let dieting and the worry of gaining weight stop you from enjoying all of the delectable dishes. Watch your serving sizes, and use portion control when eating. Take things slow and enjoy each bite.
And after the holidays, you can continue to practice moderation and portion control. One simple way is to use a portion control plate to help reinforce those new habits simply and easily. Give yourself a worthy present – a healthy and lean body for the New Year!
