Here Come the Holidays...There Goes my Waistline

The holiday season is upon us once again, and it’s time to celebrate with family and friends. Unfortunately, for many it also becomes a time for over-eating and weight gain.  I know many people struggle with this, including me, so I am putting together Healthy Holiday Tips for a nutrition talk that I am doing next week to a group of fabulous women.  I’m so excited about helping these ladies enjoy the holidays without over indulging or feeling guilty, that I’d like to share a few of my tips here with you!  The holidays don't have to mean weight gain. Focus on a healthy balance of food, activity, and fun.  By implementing a few simple tips that I am going to share with you, you can stay healthy through the holiday season.

Healthy Holiday Tips

1.  Eat regular meals!  Skipping meals can lead to overeating.

• Eat before you go to holiday parties.  Eat a healthy meal or snack with protein, veggies, and healthy fat.  This way, you’ll only be tempted to lightly graze on the goodies on the buffet table. 
• Bring a healthy snack choice to the party, such as a veggie platter, fruit salad, or your favorite vegetable dish, so you’re guaranteed to have a healthy option. 
• Eat a protein packed breakfast. Set yourself up for success by getting a healthy dose of protein in the morning, as this has been shown to prevent overeating later in the day.

2.  No guilt!  Enjoy your favorite holiday dishes in moderation. 

• Pumpkin pie, eggnog, and stuffing only come once a year.  Enjoy a piece of pumpkin pie and a small helping of stuffing.
• Choose your indulgences wisely.  Instead of wasting calories on foods that you can have any time of year, pick items that are truly special and unique to the season, like your mother’s sweet potato pudding. 
• If you overeat at one meal go light on the next. It takes 500 calories per day (or 3,500 calories per week) above your normal/maintenance consumption to gain one pound. It is impossible to gain weight from one piece of pie!
• Be realistic.  Don’t attempt to lose weight during the holiday season, but to maintain. 

3.  Celebrate the season in non-food ways.  Often times the holidays are associated with food, beverages, and treats.  Take the focus off food and remember the reason for the season, to be with family and friends.

• Enjoy company: Plan group activities with family and friends that aren’t all about food. Walk on the beach or in the park with the family, hike with friends, or take time to decorate with your special someone. 
• Turn candy and cookie making time into non-edible projects like making wreaths, dough art decorations, or creating a floral centerpiece.  Try serving a holiday meal to the community, playing games or going on a walking tour of decorated homes.

These are just a few of my Healthy Holiday tips that I will be sharing at my nutrition talk next week.  I am getting excited to share this information with the ladies.  If you’d like to learn more about staying healthy during the holidays, or would like to know more about my nutrition talks, send me a message and we can set up a time to chat.  Your first consultation is absolutely free!