Let’s face it. The Holidays are approaching faster than you can say “Egg nog, gingerbread and sweet potato pie” and, whether you intend to or not, you’re going to probably end up eating more than you’d like.
That’s okay. We’re only human. The trick is to be prepared, make a few compromises and enjoy.
Here are our top 6 strategies to help you eat smart and cheat just a little wherever you happen to be this merry season:
Portion control: It doesn’t take much to fill a dinner plate with a mound of turkey, stuffing and everything under the sun. Try using a salad plate it’ll fill up faster and will look slightly ridiculous with a Mt. Everest of cooking on it. You can also focus your fingers on fun-sized food, like appetizers.
Ex the calories: While many Holiday dishes aren’t exactly low-cal, it’s a good idea to stay from ones dripping in cheese, cream or other rich sauces. Instead, season your food with herbs and spices like basil, cloves or cinnamon.
Up the water: Egg nog, cider and cocktails can be notoriously high in calories. Have a tipple, but try to stick to H20 most of the time.
Pick two: You love the nuts& and the dip& and the stuffing (or dressing)&and the apple pie& and the shortbread. Fine. We do too. But you can’t have it all. So, pick two, allow yourself one refill, and enjoy.
Go for a run: Or a brisk walk or to the gym or whatever activity you enjoy most then tack on an extra 20 minutes to help you stay on top of the extra calories.
Relax: Many of us eat when we’re stressed out and the Holidays are no exception. So take a deep breath, smile and enjoy your family and friends.
What are your smart Holiday eating tips and tricks? Please share them with other members in the Shop Talk Blog community forum!
Did you know? It might not be as bad as you think
While most of us believe we pack on 5-10 pounds during the Holidays, research suggests it’s actually under 1 pound on average. On the other hand, people who are already overweight or obese are at a higher risk to gain 5 pounds or more. (Source)