This is the time of year when food temptation is all around us, at work, those holiday parties, and extra nights out with friends. It's hard to not gain weight over the winter months. The problem is if you gain weight more than likely it's going to stay with you the rest of the year, an extra pound or so adds up over the years.
But you don't have to fall into this trap. It's possible to enjoy holiday goodies without putting on a single pound. "Portion control is the key," says Susan Finn, PhD, RD. Finn serves as chairwoman of the American Council for Fitness and Nutrition. "I don't believe you can't eat food that you like -- even indulgences -- but it is the amount you eat."
Web MD compiled these tips to help you avoid overindulging.
1. Never Arrive Hungry
Don't go to a party when you're starving, try to have a nutritious snack before hand. If you do arrive hungry, drink some water to fill up before filling your plate.
2. Divert Your Attention
Don't look at the party as just a food event, enjoy your friends company or dancing. Focus on something other than food.
3. Pace Yourself
Take your time and look over your food selection, then eat slowly, Chewing slowly will fill you up with less food.
Another good trick is putting your fork down between every bite, this will slow your eating down.
4. Count Your Appetizers
When there are appetizers or finger food, it's easy to lose count of how many you eat. Keep track by stashing a toothpick in your pocket for each one. Set a limit and stick to it.
5. Outsmart the Buffet
When dinner is served buffet-style, use the smallest plate available and don't stack your food; limit your helpings to a single story. Go for the simplest foods on the buffet, fresh fruits and vegetables and shrimp cocktail are good choices. Watch out for sauces and dips.
6. Limit Alcohol
Avoid drinking too much alcohol at holiday parties. It's not just about calories but about control, if you drink a lot, you won't have as much control over what you eat. If you feel out of place without a drink, try sipping water or club soda, just so you have something to carry around.
7. Be Choosy
When it comes to dessert, be very selective. Limit your indulgences to small portions and only what is very appealing to you., if it's going to have calories, it has to be in my opinion CHOCOLATE.
8. Bring Your Own Treats
Whether you're going to a friend's party or an office potluck, consider bringing a low-calorie treat that you know you'll enjoy. Bringing your own dessert will make the more fattening alternatives less tempting.
9. Limit 'Tastes' While Cooking
If you do a lot of cooking during the holidays, crack down on all those "tastes". Instead of tasting mindlessly every few minutes, limit yourself to two small bites of each item pre- and post-seasoning.
10. Walk It Off
Make a new holiday tradition: the family walk. Besides burning some extra calories, this will get everyone away from the food for awhile. This was a tradition in our family growing up, after the Thanksgiving dinner we all put on our walking shoes and waked around the block, it gets you off the couch and gets the body moving.
Based on the article
By Susan G. Rabin, MA
Web MD
But you don't have to fall into this trap. It's possible to enjoy holiday goodies without putting on a single pound. "Portion control is the key," says Susan Finn, PhD, RD. Finn serves as chairwoman of the American Council for Fitness and Nutrition. "I don't believe you can't eat food that you like -- even indulgences -- but it is the amount you eat."
Web MD compiled these tips to help you avoid overindulging.
1. Never Arrive Hungry
Don't go to a party when you're starving, try to have a nutritious snack before hand. If you do arrive hungry, drink some water to fill up before filling your plate.
2. Divert Your Attention
Don't look at the party as just a food event, enjoy your friends company or dancing. Focus on something other than food.
3. Pace Yourself
Take your time and look over your food selection, then eat slowly, Chewing slowly will fill you up with less food.
Another good trick is putting your fork down between every bite, this will slow your eating down.
4. Count Your Appetizers
When there are appetizers or finger food, it's easy to lose count of how many you eat. Keep track by stashing a toothpick in your pocket for each one. Set a limit and stick to it.
5. Outsmart the Buffet
When dinner is served buffet-style, use the smallest plate available and don't stack your food; limit your helpings to a single story. Go for the simplest foods on the buffet, fresh fruits and vegetables and shrimp cocktail are good choices. Watch out for sauces and dips.
6. Limit Alcohol
Avoid drinking too much alcohol at holiday parties. It's not just about calories but about control, if you drink a lot, you won't have as much control over what you eat. If you feel out of place without a drink, try sipping water or club soda, just so you have something to carry around.
7. Be Choosy
When it comes to dessert, be very selective. Limit your indulgences to small portions and only what is very appealing to you., if it's going to have calories, it has to be in my opinion CHOCOLATE.
8. Bring Your Own Treats
Whether you're going to a friend's party or an office potluck, consider bringing a low-calorie treat that you know you'll enjoy. Bringing your own dessert will make the more fattening alternatives less tempting.
9. Limit 'Tastes' While Cooking
If you do a lot of cooking during the holidays, crack down on all those "tastes". Instead of tasting mindlessly every few minutes, limit yourself to two small bites of each item pre- and post-seasoning.
10. Walk It Off
Make a new holiday tradition: the family walk. Besides burning some extra calories, this will get everyone away from the food for awhile. This was a tradition in our family growing up, after the Thanksgiving dinner we all put on our walking shoes and waked around the block, it gets you off the couch and gets the body moving.
Based on the article
By Susan G. Rabin, MA
Web MD
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