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How do you eat healthy and manage your portions during the holiday season with everyone showering unhealthy, yet great tasting food choices on you?
Everyone has a different idea of what constitutes eating healthy. Thanksgiving through New Years is a hard time for most people to maintain their waist line. Actually, no matter what time of year, I never like to watch what I eat!
Much of the holidays involves cooking and eating delicious foods made by family and friends. You may think that it isn't possible to enjoy holiday gatherings while eating healthy, and although it may be challenging, I actually think that it can be done!
I am a lucky girl because I don't have a sweet tooth nor am I a big drinker, and as I'm sure you know, alcohol and sweets have a lot of calories. Imagine the fat and calories you can eliminate by simply cutting out desserts and booze!
By not drinking and eating desserts, I am more able to enjoy the appetizers and the main courses. So you see, just by making these couple of adjustments, you can eat and enjoy most everything else, providing that you follow some other basic rules. Here are the rest of my tips for eating healthy and managing your portions during the holiday season...
1. Eat very small portions of everything, this way you can try all of the delicious foods at the parties without getting sick!
2. Only eat things that you really love and make you happy.
3. Eat healthy at home so you can really enjoy yourself at holiday parties.
4. If you have a choice between turkey and red meat, go for the turkey. Oh, and be sure to take the white meat and don't eat the skin if you can help it!
5. Fill your plate with salad before the main meal. By filling up on lettuce, you'll eat less after. Be sure to stay away from fattening dressings or you will defeat the purpose. If you can't find a bottle of low-cal dressing, just use some Balsamic mixed with water and Splenda for a great tasting, low-cal dressing.
6. While at a party, if you have the opportunity...dance, dance and dance. It is a great way to burn calories fast while having fun!
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Amy Delong
no desserts and stick to the veggies!
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
Kirsten
I use smaller plates and drink lots of water.
carol y
I tweeted here: twitter.com/dresdenrain/status/19885122052431872
carol y
We just eat our regular diet. I gave up baking, except for family birthdays, years ago. I cook from scratch and do not bring fried or junk food into the house. We exercise EVERY day and eat as healthy as we can.
CATHY TRUMAN
Drinkin lots of water taking long walks every nigh with our dog.
Eating fresh fruit and veggies at the parties.
Reeni
These are great tips! I don't drink alcohol so I try to fill up on water, and am sure to keep on eating lots of fruits and veggies the way I usually do. I only eat the foods I really, really like and leave the ones that I'm not totally in love with behind. When it comes to dessert I look at everything to see what there is before choosing and then chose small portions of my favorites. I try to eat slowly and really enjoy what I'm eating - no mindless eating for me!
Shawnna
I cut back on sodas and drink water instead
trisha dowling
i try to eat smaller portions and salads!!
trisha dowling
i eat alot of salads during the holidays!
ShootingStarsMag
be sure to not pile your plate high...you can fill it, but if it starts climbing in height...not good!
Olga A
I take small portions from everything (how can u not try all that delicious food?!?) and don't go for seconds. . .
Betty C
I don't like feeling like I'm counting every calorie when I'm part of a celebration. So I fill up on salads and veggies and have small portions of the rest of the things that look yummy. I don't usually draw any strange looks and I don't gain a lot over the holidays so I guess it works.
mistysunrise
tweet
twitter.com/MistySunrise/status/19853401114279936
itsjustme62613 at gmail.com
mistysunrise
I eat the rich foods in moderation
itsjustme62613 at gmail.com
Arlene
I manage to eat healthfully and keep portions small by giving away all leftovers and by permitting myself just a taste of my favorites.
Felicia K.
I really try to limit my portions because bottom line: I can't not eat all the wonderful food laying out infront of me. Plus I can't hurt my mom's feelings who just spent an entire day cooking it. So I drink lots of water, and limit the amount of food and deserts I eat.