The holidays are here, which means it’s the time of year when most of us pack on the pounds. Follow some of my tips below to avoid the holiday weight-gain:
- Don’t abandon your healthy habits during the time of the year. Of course it’s okay to indulge, but do so by choosing a couple meals or gatherings where you can eat some unhealthy ingredients instead of every single meal.
- Stay away from appetizers that are served on white bread, crackers and creamy dips. Instead, munch on raw veggies, nuts and seafood.
- Don’t serve soda at your house and don’t drink it at any other house. Soda is a waste of calories and is equivalent to eating dessert in terms of sugar content. Drink club soda or water with lemon and lime.
- Eat small meals throughout the day, especially when you have a party at night. Never show up to a gathering famished. Make sure to eat nuts or low-fat dairy before a party to curb your appetite.
- Start every meal with a salad or a few vegetables to try to fill up on low-calorie foods before you start eating the fattier foods.
- Offer to bring something to a get-together and make a healthy dish so that you know there will be a healthy option.
- Moderation is key when you want to splurge. Make sure to eat everything on a plate and watch your portions. A taste of something is better than depriving yourself in the long run.
- Make your own food. Anything you make will automatically have less sugar/fat/calories than something processed.
- Get off your butt and exercise. During heavy meals or parties, play with the kids, offer to do the dishes and go for an in-between meal walk.
- When cooking, use LOW-SODIUM CHICKEN/VEGGIE BROTH
- Use COCONUT BUTTER/ALMOND MILK in place of butter or margarine
- Use LOW-FAT CREAM CHEESE/LOW-FAT SOUR CREAM/SKIM MILK when cooking and baking
- Use OLIVE OIL to coat pans and pots and cook your veggie in it
- Serve whole grain baked chips, unsalted nuts and reduced-fat cheese as things to pick on before the meal
- Instead of creamy dips, serve guacamole, salsa or hummus with raw veggies
- Make low-fat protein like white meat chicken and turkey
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