Six Strategies to Avoid Gaining Weight This Holiday Season
Keeping the pounds off is difficult to do any time, but it’s immensely worse over the holidays. We can’t resist the turkey, the stuffing, the potatoes, the pies, the cookies, the eggnog… But here are a few simple tricks to avoid gaining weight while still enjoying the holiday season.
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Don’t Go to a Party on an Empty Stomach
If you’re like me, you think, “Oh, I won’t eat anything all day and then I’ll just eat when I get to the party.” You feel like you’re saving on calories so that later on you can splurge a little. However, this strategy is the wrong thing to do. In reality, you’ll show up at the party so hungry that you’ll eat everything like it’s your last meal. You’ll even eat things you wouldn’t normally eat, like that crusty old fruitcake, just because you feel like you’re starving. Instead, eat normally throughout the day and then, about 20 minutes before the party, eat a piece of fruit and a glass of skim milk. This will allow you to feel full more quickly and prevent you from scarfing down on fattening party food.
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Choose a Smaller Plate
It’s a proven fact; the bigger your plate, the more food you’ll take and the more you’ll end up eating, whether you want it all or not. Instead of a full-sized dinner plate, choose a salad plate. Studies have shown that people automatically eat less from a smaller plate but still feel equally full.
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Cut Down on Starch Intake
Probably the biggest cause of weight gain over the holiday season is the abundance of starchy foods. The stuffing, the mashed potatoes, the pies, the corn…. The key is to choose just one starch, not 3 or 4. You can still eat your turkey, which is actually an excellent source of lean protein, but avoid eating too many starchy foods.
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Divide What You Eat
Vary the foods you eat. Try dividing your plate into quarters. Fill one quarter with a lean protein (like turkey or shrimp cocktail), one with a starch (like bread, potatoes, corn, stuffing – but only ONE!), one quarter with some kind of vegetable (preferably a green vegetable), and the last quarter with a dessert (preferably one with fruit). This way, you don’t feel like you’re giving anything up, but you’re automatically eating healthier.
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Cut Down on Alcoholic Drinks
You don’t have to cut out alcohol altogether, but instead vary the drinks you consume. Instead of drinking a calorie-laden, carbohydrate-loaded fruity umbrella drink, go for something with lower calories, like wine, light beer, or whiskey. Also, try to alternate your alcoholic drinks with water or diet pop. Not only will this cut down on your calorie intake, it will keep you sober, longer.
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Pace Yourself
If you took a salad plate to your first pass at the buffet, and you’re still feeling hungry, wait 20 minutes before making another trip. That’s how long it takes for your stomach to send signals to your brain that you’re full. If you’re still hungry after 20 minutes, go for more turkey or vegetables. It’ll fill you up without packing on the calories.
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Lindalulu | Oct 26, 2008 | Reply
Wonderful advice
eddiego65 | Oct 26, 2008 | Reply
I’ll keep these tips in mind!