Don't Let the Stress of Holiday Eating Prevent you From Being Merry and Bright This Holiday Season
By Mallory Storrs
The dreaded holidays. So easy to over indulge and fall off the wagon. Here are some of my favorite tips to keep you on track during the holidays!
Never go to a party hungry! Plan on consuming a healthy snack beforehand so you don't arrive famished. You will feel satisfied and won't be tempted to overeat.
Focus on the social aspect of the party. Catch up with a friend or family member. Socializing will help keep your mind off food.
Sit down and eat! Take your time to finish your plate. So many times we will stand next to a huge table of food and graze and never truly feel full. Take at least 20 minutes to finish your meal.
Avoid empty calorie drinks. A glass of Eggnog can contain up to 500 calories and a holiday themed latte has an average of 400calories. Choosing a light beer or hard spirits mixed with seltzer water will slash calories. Consider alternating alcoholic drinks with water to stay hydrated and slow your alcohol consumption.
Be Selective! Eat what you love and skip the food that you can live without.
Exercise! If you have an exercise regime, keep it going! Don't let the holidays deter you from falling out of your regular routine. Engage in winter activities such as ice skating or participating in a holiday themed run/walk.
Enjoy yourself! 1 day of overindulgence won't break the bank, just like eating only salad for a day won't make you healthy.
The moral of the story is to enjoy yourself and don't let the holidays stress you out. Spend time with your family and friends. Time moves too quickly to stress over food. Eat well and enjoy the holidays!