Avoiding Holiday Weight Gain

Eight Great Tips To Fight Holiday Weight Gain 

     The Season of overindulgence is here, but don’t fret! You can keep your healthy habits from now until the new year while still enjoying yourself.  This is a short list with tall orders, I know it’s not easy but it is possible to minimize the damage.  I am sure more than a few will speak directly to your struggles.  See these simple tips for avoiding temptation while fueling your brain and body this holiday season:

1.      Fill up on fiber and protein rich foods: When you go to a party look for the veggies, beans, and lentils, and lean protein foods like eggs, chicken, turkey, grass fed beef, and pork. Vegetables have fiber that will fill you up and nutrients you need to thrive. Eat less fried foods, processed meats, foods with sugar, and cheeses.  Remember “fiber is fuel that fills”.

2.      Keep moving: Eating well and exercising go hand in hand to maintain weight. Find time to work out at least four times a week. This includes cardio, strength and flexibility exercises. Any activity you like to do that will get your heart pumping and build lean muscle. Don’t know where to start? Take a long walk after dinner, just start moving or join a class with a buddy to keep that motivation going.  The key is to find something you love, and will do.

3.      Bring Your Own Food: Going to a place that might not have any healthy options? Bring your own dish. Veggie platters, or a vegetable based entree will fill you up with fiber and protein.  You may even be surprised that others will appreciate the option.

4.       Drink Liquor In Moderation: I am not going to tell you not to drink, but I would recommend to stick to 1 drink a day if you’re a woman and 2 drinks if you are a man. Too many drinks will increase your waistline along with your risk for type 2 diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. So if you are conscious of carbohydrates and calories you can try to stick with vodka, rum, gin, tequila, whiskey, scotch, and brandy. Use lime and seltzer instead of sugary mixers like juices or tonic. Want to avoid those holiday hangovers? Stay hydrated with water and stick to clear liquor.  Or, you can be like me and avoid alcohol all together, focus on getting your kicks thru connections.

5.      Watch Your Sugar: Sugar is abundant this holiday season in everything from cookies and cakes to candy canes, pies, and even entree and side dishes. Too much can increase your waistline and also put you at risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and dementia. One teaspoon of sugar is equal to 4 grams of sugar. This can add up pretty quickly, so be sure to check food labels and try to stay below 25 grams (6 teaspoons) a day.  If you suffer from a sugar addiction like, I encourage you to avoid it all together.

6.      Plan Ahead: If you know you’re going to a party tonight plan your meals for earlier in the day so you are eating whole nutrient dense foods that will satisfy your hunger. Foods like almonds, walnuts, pumpkin/sunflower seeds, avocados, or plain yogurt are great snacks to eat before your event later in the day.  I always enjoy a large mixed green salad with balsamic to get my full on before the festivities begin.

7.      Give In To Your Indulgence: The last thing you want to do is deny yourself a treat during this season. Make it something special that you may not be able to have any other time of the year.  BUT BUT BUT…if you find you suffer from a food addiction, then by all means, please avoid these foods that light up your brain, you know…the ones that when you start you can’t stop.  For me, it’s sugar, for you it may be something else.  So, if you have a hard time stopping at one moderate portion, that may not be for you.  Totally not worth, and don’t worry, I promise you won’t die if you don’t get a piece of Aunt Marthas famous pie.

8.      Watch Your Portions: Portion distortion is alive and well in our society. Fill up on nutrient rich foods like vegetables. Eat much smaller portions of sweets, treats, and other indulgent foods. One trick is to use a small plate and wait 20 minutes until your brain knows your stomach is full.  Also, take a drink of water between each bite, chew chew chew, set your utensils down between bites, engage in conversation and look up from your plate between bites.

Remember healthy habits start with one step at a time. Any small step is a win that you can celebrate! :)