Handling the holidays while trying to lose weight – Coastal View News
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We are approaching one of the best times of year – in my opinion. I love the holidays. The smells, the decorations, the excitement in the air and especially the food. However, if you are someone who has been working on getting healthier and losing weight, this time may bring anxiety and stress.
But dieting through the holidays does not have to be a chore. It does not mean that you need to miss out on all the good foods and drinks either. There is one key word I use as the main goal for all of my clients: balance. You can enjoy foods and even imbibe without undoing your progress; you just have to keep everything in balance. Here are some tips.
If you are attending a family dinner, potluck meal or holiday party, bring a dish of something you want to eat and rely on that to fill your plate. Then you can still take smaller portions of the other, possibly decadent items, without feeling like you’re blowing your whole diet.
Stick to regular meals prior to a holiday meal or party. I know, you’ve probably been taught to skimp on food throughout the day, so you have more calories for the big meal. Unfortunately, this rarely works like you think it will. When you eat lighter, you will typically end up being so hungry at the event that you’ll overindulge.
Fill up on protein. While the star of most holiday meals is the turkey, ham or prime rib, most of the side dishes are lacking in the protein department. Most side dishes are carb and fat heavy. So, fill up on protein, either before or during the meal. This will help you feel satiated and again, avoid overindulging.
My holiday trick when going to a catered event or one which serves primarily hors d’oeuvres is to have a ready-made protein shake about an hour before I leave. It’s just enough to take the edge off.
Choose your indulgences strategically. This means that if you want to enjoy pie after dinner, don’t also have cookies earlier in the day. Maybe it means you have pie but …….
