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How to Eat Healthily over the Holidays

Eating rich meals for one or two days of the year won’t hurt you, but problems will arise if you're tempted to over-indulgence over several days, or even weeks. Follow these simple holiday eating tips, and you'll find it easier to make healthy choices.

Steps

1. Don't serve enormous portions. The danger lies not in what you eat, but in how much you eat. Having a healthy snack before you go to a party can help to take the edge off your hunger.

2. Don’t leave bowls of chocolate, candy and nuts standing on kitchen counters where it’s all too easy to dip in each time you pass. Serve nuts in the shell. Cracking them takes time, and stops you cramming them into your mouth in handfuls.

3. At a buffet table, use a small plate and fill it just once. Help yourself to less meat, more vegetables and salads, but go easy on creamy sauces and dressings.

4. Stock up with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables over the holiday season. Keep a stack of easy-peel citrus where people can help themselves. Before a meal, put a bowl of celery sticks, apple pieces or carrot curls on the table – kids and adults love to nibble on these.

5. If you’re keen not to gain over the holidays, ration yourself to one or two unhealthy foods a day. Take time choosing the treats of the day, savour the flavour - then stop.

Tips

* Do your health an even bigger favour, and get off the couch and out of the door at least once a day. A brisk 30 minute walk helps you digest efficiently, and burns off some of those extra calories.

How to Stick to Your Diet During the Holidays

Whether you are trying to lose weight, or simply maintain your current weight, the holiday season can present a particular challenge. These simple tips will help you stick to your eating plan during the holiday party season.

Steps

1. Focus on the people, not the food. Remember that holiday parties and social functions are meant to be times to get together with friends and family. Get in the spirit of the holiday season by celebrating your personal relationships, and recognize that you're not just there for the food.

2. Make the occasional party the exception to your diet, NOT the rule. Splurging once in a while is not generally a major problem. However, not returning to your diet the next day is a mistake. Don't let one or two holiday events be the excuse for falling off the wagon till New Year's!

3. Consider volunteering to host the party yourself. There's no better way to ensure that there will be diet-friendly, healthy choices on the menu than by throwing the party yourself. If someone else is hosting the party, offer to bring food to the party so that you can be sure to prepare something that fits into your diet program. At least there will be one dish on the buffet that you can enjoy without worrying about the calorie count!

4. Prepare so you don't arrive at a holiday party on an empty stomach. Have a light, healthy snack shortly before leaving for the party. Choose protein-rich foods, such as lowfat yogurt or cottage cheese, as the protein will stick with you and help you feel full longer. Alternatively, eat a small green salad as the fiber will also fill you up. If you cannot eat something before arriving at the party, ask the host or hostess for a large glass of water as soon as you arrive. By taking the edge off your hunger, you can approach the buffet table with control and be less likely to make impulsive choices at the party.

5. Choose wisely from the foods available at holiday functions. If you look carefully, you'll find there are often acceptable healthy choices available to you. Concentrate on the cocktail shrimp, smoked salmon, and fresh fruit or vegetable platters. Go easy on the accompanying sauces and dips. Mixed nuts, particularly almonds, are good sources of protein, but be wary of candied nuts or extremely salty nut mixes.

6. Eat slowly.It takes our body about 20 minutes to realize that we are full. Also, the slower you eat, the less food you'll eat as opposed to eating fast in the same amount of time.

7. Drink responsibly. Consider sparkling mineral water or non-alcoholic drinks, such as a "virgin mary." If you decide to drink alcohol, choose white or red wine, rather than champagne or hard liquor.

8. Stay active during the holidays. Mingle, dance and do what you can to stay active (and as far away from the buffet table as possible!). Keep your metabolism up by staying active and including lots of healthy exercise during the holiday season.

Tips

* Try the 3-bite method! Take a small portion of the desired treat. Before you jump in and swallow it without a thought, take a good look at it and tell yourself, "I get three bites!" After the first bite, think, "WOW, that was great and I'm not even through!" Then take the second bite while telling yourself, "I'm only halfway through. This is delicious!" Then get ready for the third bite and think, "I'm really going to enjoy this. It's my last bite, but this food isn't leaving the planet anytime soon, so I can have three bites again next year!" Enjoy!

* Consider wearing tight clothing to your holiday parties. Keeping a belt or waistband cinched tight will help you feel fuller faster, and remind you to not stuff yourself.

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