BE WELL

The Joy of Holiday Glut Survival

The joy of the holidays is synonymous with eating and drinking all kinds of delicious and fattening foods. It is a tradition and to think that after hundreds of years of celebrating the holidays in this fashion that things will change is just not reasonable.

In kitchens and restaurants around the world, the finest in butters, creams and sugar emerge to create foods that leave most of us wanting for more. The down side however, is once the party is over we are left with the remnants of waist lines that have taken on a shape of their own and scales that, despite what position we move them to in the room, display the reality of holidays past.

Keeping your waistline intact does not mean having to deprive oneself of one of the highlights of the season however. To avoid post-holiday pounds, it is not what you eat, but rather how you eat. Here are some good and healthy ideas to keep you on track.

  1. Limit your intake of alcohol. Most people lose the battle here! Opt instead for sparkling water with lemon or lime. If you must, have just one glass of wine and stop.
  2. Eat lots of the “free” or low calorie foods first. As a guide, fresh and raw is always best.
  3. Choose foods that are not covered in sauces and fats. If you decide to eat, limit to just a bite.
  4. Never go to a party or gathering hungry. One good trick is to eat a salad before leaving home or if you are heading out after work, plan to have a light snack of Greek yogurt or a piece of fruit.
  5. Limit your intake of sweets and when you choose, steer in the direction of simple desserts. The more complicated they are the higher they will most likely be in calories.
  6. If attending a cocktail party, keep a glass of sparkling water in hand to avoid the temptation of sampling everything that is passed. A good trick is to take a sip from the glass when the server heads in your direction.
  7. Get in an extra 20 to 30 minutes of extra exercise especially on the day of the party.
  8. For potluck dinners where “doggy-bags” are offered, say no, thank you.
  9. For celebrations where dancing is a part of the gathering, DANCE!