Enjoy the Holidays Without the Weight Gain

Holiday weight gain may seem inevitable with all those family gatherings, workplace events and other food- and drink-laden social engagements.  With a little planning, however, you can avoid packing on unwanted holiday pounds.

Registered Dietition Julie Meeker, MS, RD, LDN, of Centegra Health System, offers some ideas:

Ø     Don’t starve yourself before a holiday meal or party.  You’ll only show up hungry and eat too much.  Keep your hunger in check with a few small meals throughout the day.

Ø     Enjoy seasonal flavors without all the calories.  Try light eggnog and sugar-free spiced cider and hot cocoa.

Ø     Use a smaller plate at parties and meals.  It will seem like you are eating more than you are.

Ø     Mingle away from the party appetizers.  You’ll avoid mindless eating and temptation.

Ø     When hosting a party, serve healthy food such as nuts, fruit kabobs, veggies with low-fat dip, whole-wheat crackers and low-fat cheese, or baked pita chips with hummus.

Ø     Lighten homemade recipes by substituting half the butter or oil with healthy fat replacers, such as pumpkin, applesauce or light yogurt.

Ø     Remain active.  Sneak exercise into your day by taking the stairs instead of the elevator, doing housework at a fast pace or shoveling snow.

“Do not lose sight of your health goals,” Meeker says.  “Remember that the holidays are a time to enjoy your family and friends and not an excuse to gain weight.”

For more on avoiding the holiday bulge.....check out my podcast in Nourishment for the Mind