Holiday Eating Tips

Thanksgiving is just a few short days away and Christmas is right around the corner. You also can't forget about all those office and holiday parties that you will be invited to over the next 6 weeks. Everyone talks about the holiday weight gain from November to January. The average American gains 7-10 pounds over the holiday season. So how do you keep up healthy eating with all the celebrations? Here is a list I've composed that will hopefully help you get through the next six weeks without the 7-10 pound weight gain.



1-For Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner, bring dish to share that you know is a healthy option. Help yourself to a larger serving of your dish and eat it first before eating anything else on your plate. This will help reduce your calorie intake and you know that you are getting a healthy option. Bring something like a fruit salad, fresh steamed veggies, raw veggie tray (just don't go dipping into the dips!!), quinoa dish, etc.



2-Avoid foods smothered and covered in sauces, butters, cheeses or creams. These are all loaded with bad fats and excess calories.



3- Eat all your veggies first (try to make sure they aren't covered in butter) then eat your turkey before moving onto the other servings on your plate.



4-Don't eat until you feel so full that you are going to pass out into a food induced coma. You'll regret it hours later when you feel bloated, lethargic and tired. You'll regret it the next day too!



5-Still remember your portion sizes before you load up your plate. Your meat should be about the size of your fist, fruit/veggie portion the size of two hands cupped together and a starchy complex carb the size of one cupped hand.



6-It is a time for celebration, thanksgiving for our blessings and family, so I am not going to tell you to not eat dessert at all. But if you choose to eat a dessert, eat a small portion and don't cover it in cool whip, whipped cream or ice cream. That small portion will taste just as good than if you were to eat a large portion, without the guilt later.



7- Don't forget to still exercise! Most people travel for festivities, but you can still get in a strength or cardio sessions before Thanksgiving lunch/dinner. Or you can go for a walk with your family after your meal. Just get moving.



You'll have lots of choices on Thanksgiving day, Christmas day or whatever party you attend. It's a matter of making the SMARTER choices. It's just food, is it really worth what you are working hard towards?? Food can work for you or against you, so make smart choices with your food. Don't be one of the Americans that gain 7-10 pounds over the holidays. Is the bad food really worth it?



Happy Thanksgiving!