The holidays are here and with them come parties, get-togethers with family and friends and food, food, more food and drinks than I should consume. And, damn it all, that debauchery inevitably results in extra pounds. It takes me months to lose the weight that I gained in just a few weeks and every year, my New Year’s resolution is to lose weight. But not this year. NO! I am determined not to put on holiday weight I am going to heed the 12 Healthy Holiday Eating Tips proposed by Caroline Cederquist, M.D. so that I can fit into an adorable black cocktail dress that I plan/hope to wear on New Year’s Eve. (And, thank you, Dr. Cederquist for telling me that I can have cheese! In moderation, of course, but still … cheese! Now, how about potato latkes?)
- Drink Water. Drinking lots of water not only flushes toxins from your system but it also fills you up. Often times the body misinterprets thirst for hunger. Carrying a bottle of water with you not only will help reduce the urge to eat but it will also fill you up faster.
- Holiday Drinks. Alcohol has a lot of calories, as do eggnog, punch, and soft drinks, therefore, try to limit these. If you are a soda drinker, try to incorporate seltzer and maybe mix it with a little bit of juice. If you must have egg nog try to limit yourself to one and if making it yourself try using non-fat milk.
- If you’re hosting a holiday party, provide healthy snacks. Serve salsa with wholegrain, trans-fat-free chips or pita wedges. Offer guacamole with fresh vegetables.
- Eat smaller portions of food. This is especially important at a buffet, where you may want to try everything. Choose the items you want to try the most, and eat a small portion of each.
- Holiday hors-d’oeuvres. You don’t have to pass up the cheese tray just be smart about your choices. In addition to portion control, harder cheeses tend to be lower in fat than softer cheeses and opt for a whole-wheat or multi-grain cracker instead of one made with refined grain.
- Slow it down. You’ll enjoy your meals better if you eat slowly. You’ll also eat less, because your stomach and brain will have time to realize it is “full.”
- Fill your diet with fruits and vegetables. The bulk of your meal should consist of fruits and vegetables.
- Holidays and the fast food trap. The holiday season can keep you on the go with little time to prepare meals. Fast food may be handy, but is often high in fat and calories. Prepare and freeze quick, healthy meals ahead of time to stay out of the fast-food trap.
- Holiday Staples and Stuffing. Cook stuffing outside of the turkey. It’ll have fewer calories and will be healthier than the traditionally prepared stuffing. Also, when preparing the stuffing, try to incorporate more vegetables and less bread.
- Don’t deprive yourself. Depriving one’s self of certain foods often leads to binge eating so if you want something eat it, just eat smaller portions and make the healthiest choice. (Ed. note: Yay!)
- Holiday deserts and your sweet tooth. If you are someone who loves their holiday pies you are not out of luck. Just make smarter choices. Apple pie is probably better than other holiday favorites because it contains fruit and not as much sugar and calories as other rich desserts. Pumpkin pie is also a healthier choice than cookies and cakes. Fruit salad makes a delicious desert too.
- Holiday treats and the healthier option. If part of your holiday tradition involves baking cookies, make them with vegetable oil in place of solid fats or shortening. Add some whole grains or wheat germ, raisins, and nuts. Also, make the cookies mini-size. Use a teaspoon instead of a tablespoon for drop cookies and cut bar cookies into bite-size pieces. You can offer more varieties and you won’t have to bake nearly as many.
About Dr. Caroline Cederquist
Caroline read her first statistics about obesity at a very young age. Growing up, the majority of Caroline’s family was overweight. Through her knowledge of weight management, she is proof that you can manage your genetic predispositions through healthy lifestyle changes. She wanted a career where she could help people understand this too. Caroline noticed that many illnesses she managed were aggravated by problems with nutrition or weight. This inspired her interest in bariatrics, the specialty of medical weight management. It’s through her extensive work with patients that Caroline developed the nutritional foundation for bistroMD, focusing on the right balance of macronutrients in the diet: the protein, the right carbohydrates, healthy fats and fiber. She further carries her message through publications in professional journals, and has appeared as a weight-management expert on several popular television shows, including Dr. Oz and The Doctors.
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