The average American will consume about 4,500 calories on Thanksgiving Day when the pre-meal party, the actual dinner and dessert, then evening leftovers are all taken into account. That is enough to gain a pound or two alone, which can be remedied, but how many more days like this will there be?
Actually, there is the potential for quite a few as the holidays approach: Thanksgiving weekend, family holiday parties, work holiday parties, neighborhood/church holiday parties, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Christmas week, New Years Eve and New Years Day. In addition to extra meals and calories is the fact that activity levels generally taper off during the holidays. The combination of overeating and not much exercise has the potential to provide weight gain that is often not lost, and year after year, a few more pounds continue to be added to the tally.
However, it is possible to get through the holidays without gaining weight or being mad at yourself in January. To do that, consider these ten tips for healthy holiday eating:
1. Eat what you love and leave what you like
You dont have to eat everything that is put in front of you. Make careful choices and stick with the foods you enjoy most. Dont select foods that arent your favorite just because they are there.
2. Go to gatherings to gather, not to eat
Focus on enjoying those you are with, not the food.
3. Choose wisely
Fill your plate with 80 percent healthy foods, and save the other 20 percent for dessert or treats.
4. Skip the punch and eat the cake
Youll likely enjoy eating your calories more than drinking them.
5. Dont save up for later
It doesnt make sense to starve all day because you have a party that night. You will likely end up consuming more because you are so hungry. Eat light, but dont skip meals.
6. And especially, dont skip breakfast
It really is the most important meal of the day since it fuels your body as you start the day.
7. Pack the snacks
Keep healthy snack choices available when youre on the run so you dont overeat at mealtimes.
8. Follow the three-bite rule
People seem to mostly enjoy the first and last bites of what they eat, so put a bite in between and call it good after three.
9. Dont skimp on sleep
Being tired and cranky wont be good for anyone during the holidays.
10. Drink water
Staying hydrated during the hustle and bustle will help you feel your best and will also help you not feel so hungry when you get to the table.
Actually, there is the potential for quite a few as the holidays approach: Thanksgiving weekend, family holiday parties, work holiday parties, neighborhood/church holiday parties, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Christmas week, New Years Eve and New Years Day. In addition to extra meals and calories is the fact that activity levels generally taper off during the holidays. The combination of overeating and not much exercise has the potential to provide weight gain that is often not lost, and year after year, a few more pounds continue to be added to the tally.
However, it is possible to get through the holidays without gaining weight or being mad at yourself in January. To do that, consider these ten tips for healthy holiday eating:
1. Eat what you love and leave what you like
You dont have to eat everything that is put in front of you. Make careful choices and stick with the foods you enjoy most. Dont select foods that arent your favorite just because they are there.
2. Go to gatherings to gather, not to eat
Focus on enjoying those you are with, not the food.
3. Choose wisely
Fill your plate with 80 percent healthy foods, and save the other 20 percent for dessert or treats.
4. Skip the punch and eat the cake
Youll likely enjoy eating your calories more than drinking them.
5. Dont save up for later
It doesnt make sense to starve all day because you have a party that night. You will likely end up consuming more because you are so hungry. Eat light, but dont skip meals.
6. And especially, dont skip breakfast
It really is the most important meal of the day since it fuels your body as you start the day.
7. Pack the snacks
Keep healthy snack choices available when youre on the run so you dont overeat at mealtimes.
8. Follow the three-bite rule
People seem to mostly enjoy the first and last bites of what they eat, so put a bite in between and call it good after three.
9. Dont skimp on sleep
Being tired and cranky wont be good for anyone during the holidays.
10. Drink water
Staying hydrated during the hustle and bustle will help you feel your best and will also help you not feel so hungry when you get to the table.
