Fellowship, Family, Friends, Food, and Fun

Holidays are a wonderful time to share food, fun, and fellowship with family
and friends. But the holidays often encourage you to overindulge at a
holiday meal and that inevitably results in guilt. I’ve provided a few tips
to get you back on track and avoid the overindulgence and the guilt.

1. Moderation is the key. Portion control is everything. By not
forbidding any of the goodies but instead control your portions of goodies,
you are more in control of your cravings.

2. Water is a lifesaver. Before you eat, try to drink a glass of
water. Often, you are not hungry but thirsty. Indoor heat makes people
more dehydrated in the winter and by drinking water, we can better enjoy the
full taste and aromas of the meal. Water has zero calories, contains many
benefits and fills up you quickly.

3. Do not strive for a perfect eating plan during the holidays. Do not
try to diet during the holidays. Instead of prohibiting food or going on
the latest diet, strive for a healthy lifestyle. Eat as you want to for the
rest of your life.

4. Cheat occasionally. It increases your metabolism and shows you what
it feels like before you started making the right food choices. The longer
you live a healthy lifestyle the more intolerant you will be of poor food
choices. Your appetite decreases. Overindulgence is not noticed from a few
meals a year. Careless eating on a daily habit is what causes weight gain.

5. Do not skip meals or arrive hungry at a party. Saving up calories
will only lead to disaster. It is better to graze or eat a little bit at
one time. Having a snack before meals is a good idea especially if you know
that your meal could be delayed.

6. Use a small plate and check out the entire buffet before you eat.
That will enable to think the meal through and choose healthier selections.

7. Bring healthy entrees. Many people are open to healthy eating and
by bringing a veggie tray you not only help yourself, but are also a good
influence on others. When I bring a veggie tray to a party, the host and
guests often gobble up the tray before eating the other fattening treats.

8. Remember the twenty-minute rule. Hormones take as long as twenty
minutes to signal the body that you are full.

9. Avoid the extras. Calories and fat from gravy, cream, butter, sour
cream, mayonnaise, and cheddar cheese add up fast. Be cautious of fat free
claims. Some are legitimate but others lack taste. Fat free food also
contains extra carbs, salts and simple sugars. Try low fat or reduced
varieties of food instead.

10. Become a reader. Not only should you control portions, but you
should also strive to read for important nutrients such as fat,
carbohydrates and proteins. You should strive for meals containing 20% fat,
20% protein, and 60% carbohydrates. Only 10% of your calories should come
from saturated fat.

11. Avoid alcohol. It is high in calories. Alcohol contains seven
calories per gram and four in carbohydrates and proteins.

12. Start a new family tradition. Have the family take a walk, bike
ride, play a friendly sport game, or go running. I am hoping to do a
holiday run if I can get everything done in preparation for my family’s
dinner. I also plan to play some active games with my younger relatives
after dinner.

13. Offer to host the meal. By cooking the dinner yourself, you can
control what food is served and how many entrees are prepared.

Focus on family, not food. The holidays provide us with a wonderful time be
thankful for our blessings.

References:

CBS News
http://www.focusonyourchild.com/health/art1/A0000094.html

Focus on your child
http://www.focusonyourchild.com/health/art1/A0000094.html

Focus on your family
http://www.health.family.org/women_men/articles/a0001660.html

I Village
http://www.ivillage.com/diet/features/holidayfit