The holidays can be a challenging time as we are often confronted with many events and parties that can sometimes lead to holiday weight gain. Below are some tips to help stay on track, while still enjoying yourself!
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Remember to eat three meals per day. Do not skip meals as this can result in overeating later in the day; especially when combining being too hungry with delicious holiday food. Breakfast is especially important as research shows that those who eat breakfast tend to eat fewer calories throughout the rest of the day.
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Eat until you are satisfied, not stuffed. Enjoy small portions and eat slowly so that you can savor every bite. Try to wait 10-20 minutes before having seconds to help determine if you are still hungry. Choose foods that you know you will enjoy the most.
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Survey party buffets before filling your plate or wait until all of the food is on the table before making your selection. Start with filling half of your plate with fruits and vegetables. Pick the foods you think you will most enjoy and skip foods you might not enjoy as much.
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Take the focus off food. Remember to enjoy this time with family and friends and focus on the conversation and socializing. Consider planning holiday events that aren’t centered around food, like making holiday wreaths or decorating gingerbread houses.
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Take time for exercise and self-care. Holidays are a joyful time, but can come with a fair amount of stress and emotional triggers. Make sure you have plenty of time for physical activities that you enjoy (try sledding or ice skating for family fun!), sleep and other activities like meditation or journaling to de-stress.
Rebecca Kraay, MMN, RDN, LMNT ’16, ‘17
