Thursday, December 9, 2010

Surviving Holiday Eating

Holiday Eating Tips

We have about a month left of the holiday season at the time I am writing. How have you handled temptations so far to overeat? Have you over-indulged with high fat, sugar, and/or salty treats? It’s hard isn’t it? Having access to the best holiday eating tips to discover how to  avoid or at least minimize holiday weight gain might be helpful. I’m always on the lookout for new ideas to make weight management easier!

holiday cookies

Holiday Treats

Before I begin I’d like to set the record straight on one point. How often have you read something to the effect that the average American gains 7-10 pounds over the holiday season? Well it simply isn’t true. That’s a myth.

A recent research study indicates the average American gains about 1 pound each holiday season. That’s much better; however, even one pound each holiday season can add up over the years.

What can you do to minimize weight gain and still enjoy what’s left of the holiday season? Have strategies in place to handle whatever challenges come your way! I’d like to share some of the absolute best holiday tips articles I’ve found to help you out. I would suggest you give each article a quick look. Zero in on the tips that are most relevant to YOUR situation. Then with the cut and paste feature of your word processing program create a new list that fits you!

Now print off several copies. Put one up on your refrigerator for a frequent reminder. Put another in your purse and maybe one by your bed to review at the day’s end. If you have appropriate strategies when tough situations arise you will be much more likely to limit the damage and still enjoy holiday food and most importantly family and friends!

Here is a short list of what I see as the most cited tips:

1. Fit in some kind of physical activity as often as possible.

2. Be prepared to handle challenging food temptations with appropriate strategies.

3. Limit alcohol intake.

4. Drink more zero (or minimal) calorie beverages.

5. Relax! Eat slowly and enjoy small portions of your favorite holiday treats.

Now go check out the articles and create a list of appropriate strategies more highly targeted for your situation!

Excellent Suggestions from Good Housekeeping Magazine:

Holiday Weight Loss Tips:

Tips for surviving the holidays without sacrificing your weight-loss goals

Realize the Challenge

Write it Down

Buddy Up

Identify Difficult Situations

Pay Attention

Be Honest

Relieve Stress

Exercise, Exercise, Exercise

Some Additional Tips

Livestrong.com (Keeping a diet on track during the holidays)

Holiday Weight Loss Tips

Mental Preparation

Pre-party Snacks

Food Options

Stress Relief

Exercise

About.com

5 Tips for Guilt-Free Holiday Partying

Create a Game Plan

Take a Pew (Sit when you eat)

Keep Temptation out of Sight

Don’t Skimp on Snoozing

Start Over This Second

Also from About.com

5 Ways to Gain Weight During the Holidays

Forget Portion Control

Cheat: “Just this once…and this once…and this once…”

Overdo the Spirits (too much alcohol)

Take it easy. Really easy!

Just Give Up

Shape Magazine

Holiday Weight Loss Tips

Eat the Food you Love in Moderation

(Yes go ahead) Spoil Your Supper

Chew While You Chop (Great idea! I hadn’t thought of this before!)

Be a Picky Eater

Take Dainty Bites

Think Before You Eat

Stay on the Move

No Time for the Gym?

Seize Some ZZZ’s

HealthCastle.com:

Healthy Holiday Eating Tips

Don’t go to a Party Hungry

Watch Your Portion

Make a Conscious Choice to Limit High Fat Items

Try Different Versions of Egg Nog

Try Other Versions of Alcohol

Drink Plenty of Water

Physical Activity

My article from a couple of years ago:

15 Tips to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain

Fit in Some Kind of Exercise

Space out Meals and Snacks

Spend Less Time in the Kitchen

Consider Making Physical Activity the Focus of Holiday Get-Togethers

Plan Ahead for Healthy Food and Treats

Do What it Takes to Get Enough Sleep

Limit your Alcohol Intake

Eat Fewer Calories than usual the Day Before a Big Meal

Fill up on Low Calorie Beverages the Day of a Big Meal

Plan to Have Healthy Low Calorie Snacks Available

Going to a Potluck? Make your dish low calorie (and tasty!)

Think of Ways to Keep Busy That Do Not Involve Eating

Eat Slowly and Enjoy Each Bite

Do Allow Yourself Some Treats!

Go for a Walk After a Big Meal

Epicurious.com

I recommended an article from Epicurious last year. In reviewing it again I have to say it’s a GREAT list of tips. Just ignore the ones that aren’t relevant to YOU.

Healthy Eating Tips and Light Party Recipes for the Holidays:

Go for the Passed Hor d’Oeuvres

Choose Low-Calorie and Healthy Festive Foods

Bring the Healthy Fare to Parties and Potlucks

Act Like an Accountant

Don’t Hover Around the Buffet Table

Use a Napkin (to limit portion size)

Hit the Veggie Tray

Follow the Three-Bite Rule

Make Friends with Water

Keep Liquid Calories in Check

Bring Mints or Gum to Parties

Budget for Treats on Party Days

Bakers, Beware

Re-gift Food Presents

Say No to Junk Food

Consider Setting a Few Ground Rules

Make Your Goals Realistic

Don’t Turn Shopping Sprees into Eating Sprees

Eat Three Square Meals Every Day

Add Exercise Whenever and Wherever You Can

More articles:

Holiday Season Help with Diet Struggles: Tips, Products, and More

Kitchen Tools and Gadgets for Weight Loss and Better Health (Is your name on your holiday shopping list?)

Have you found a useful tip that you hadn’t thought of before? I liked the tip to chew gum when preparing food! Like many others, I tend to overdo the tasting when I’m in the kitchen especially when I’m preparing yummy holiday food.

Wishing you the very best to be happy, healthy, and enjoy a  reasonable number of calories with holiday eating tips.

by LORI  -  Women and Weight Website -  Cross-Posted HERE

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