The holidays are a time for celebrations, festive reunions, and lots of delicious food to be enjoyed with family and friends. Although many of us like to try new dishes and desserts, but it’s best not to overdo it. Eating too much can lead to unhealthy weight gain and it can just be plain uncomfortable.
Take a look at tips to help you eat well during the holiday season:
1. Use Portion Control
The more that’s on your plate, the more you are likely to eat. Avoid filling up your plate so you don’t eat too much. You may also want to use smaller plates to limit your servings.
2. Eat Mindfully
When you are at a party, you may begin socializing with others and not pay attention to how much you are eating. Do your best to concentrate on chewing and enjoying your food and monitor how full you are getting.
3. Don’t Fill Up on Appetizers
Your host may be serving appetizers in a cocktail party setting, or they may be complementary to the meal. Either way, keep in mind that these items can be highly caloric, and they will add up. Limit portions on snack items so you have room for a healthy meal.
4. Limit Alcohol
Alcohol will contribute to your calorie count. It can also dehydrate you and make you unfit to drive. It’s always best to limit your alcohol consumption and stick to hydrating with water instead.
5. Eat the Right Foods
There may be unhealthy foods at holiday parties, but there are bound to be healthy options as well. Make smart choices by filling your plate with fruit, veggies, and high protein items. These tend to be lower in calories and they will boost your energy and make you feel fuller longer.
6. Dessert in Moderation
It’s okay to indulge yourself with a dessert when you are a holiday party, but limit yourself to just one dessert. If you must have two, make sure you have small servings of each.
7. Bring Your Own Healthy Items
If you are afraid that the host will not be serving any healthy items, you can always bring your own. It’s best to get approval from the person throwing the party in advance, and be sure to bring enough so that everyone can share.
The holidays are a time to eat delicious meals. But it’s important to put your health first! Choose foods that are beneficial to wellness and your body will thank you for it.
We wish you a happy and healthy holiday season!
