Holiday Eating Tips

Healthy Holiday Eating Tips

When the holidays arrive, many people forget all about healthy eating. Weight gains of 7 - 10 pounds are common between Halloween and Christmas. To make the holidays easier, these tips will help you with healthy eating through the season and not gaining weight.

Most traditional foods can be made low fat. Turkey is very lean without the skin, and gravy can be made without any fat. Certain types of potatoes served without butter can be very healthy. The beloved homemade pumpkin pie is nutritious, although it can be made into a fatty dessert with the adding of whipped cream.

Even though the holidays are hectic, don't forget about the exercise. Keeping weight off during the holiday season is helped by burning off the extra calories. You should plan a walk after meals, park farther from stores when you shop, and take a few walks around the mall before you begin shopping.

Avoid or limit the much loved holiday sweets and baked goods. The majority of holiday calorie and

weight gain comes from over indulging on aunt Myrtles' holiday cookies.  For the most part holiday baking involves a lot of highly refined flour and sugar and reeks havoc on insulin and energy levels; causing everyone under the age of 10 to run around screaming and everyone else to pass out on the couch or lazy boy.   

During holiday parties and at family dinners, feel free to sample foods although you shouldn't splurge. Decide on what you plan to eat in advance, then stick to your plan. Eat plenty of  fruit, low fat dressings, and slices of lean meats. Before you go to a party, eat a small snack to help curb your appetite.

If at all possible, avoid alcohol. Having too many drinks can cripple your will power, and also add excess calories to your diet. In the place of alcohol, drink water with lemon. Water can help to limit your appetite and keep you from binging. Also make sure to avoid eggnog, as each glass can have up to 300 calories.

Be flexible with your healthy eating, as one bad meal won't ruin your diet. Try to balance your calories over a few days and don't just look at one meal or day.