Enjoy Holiday Food Without the Weight Gain
By Virginia Laird
It is the season of parties and an abundance of delightful food. If you are anything like me, you may be counting down the days until a certain gathering because you cannot wait for a specific treat you know will be on the buffet. For me, each party has a different yummy dish to get excited about. This excitement to consume high-calorie treats is the reason many need a plan to help avoid holiday weight gain. A few things to consider to help prevent such weight gain includes:
- Plan ahead
- Exercise portion control
- Never go to a holiday gathering hungry
Plan Ahead
You know you are going to attend holiday parties, and plenty of them over the next few weeks. It is wise to devise a plan for the buffet. While this may seem silly, it can be helpful when trying to avoid the weight gain that may accompany indulgence of holiday sweets and treats. Things to consider could be:
- Make only one trip to the buffet
- Have only one small plate full of food
- Allow yourself only three treats
- Try only one dessert
Whatever you decide your plan to be, make sure you are able to stick to it. You will be glad you did.
Exercise Portion Control
Portion control can be difficult (and no fun) to follow. Around the holiday season there are a variety of treats and goodies which may surround you. These may be found at home, at work, at your holiday gatherings, and plenty of other places. Knowing how much of the treat is considered a serving can help you avoid consuming too many calories.
Never Go to a Holiday Gathering Hungry
Are you heading to a holiday party in the next few weeks? Odds are that you may attend several. While you may indulge in all the luscious foods, it is best to avoid attending while starving. Weight loss specialists advise you should eat light (and healthy) before you go. This can help you rein in your cravings.
Now you are ready to dive in to your next holiday party and enjoy the endless buffet of succulent appetizers, treats, and beverages without needing a new pant size the following day. Enjoy yourself and stick to your plan, you can do it! Happy Holidays!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Happy Valley, Ore.