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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!
I am giving away a $150 Visa gift card from BlogHer! If you would like a chance to win, please leave a comment with your thoughts and tips as to how you eat healthy and manage your portions during the holiday season and you will be entered to win a $150 Visa gift card! Please keep your comments G-rated as any profanity or offensive content will automatically disqualify you from sweepstakes entry.
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Nadine L
I eat before going anywhere I know there will be food, some fruit, a salad and some water which leaves me feeling fuller and if I eat anything, I eat a small portion
M.A.
Look over the food table before making choices.
Take time to plan wisely before making choices.
Choose carefully. Eat slowly. ENJOY!
Linda Lansford
I eat lots of fruits and veggies
Kerry
If I know I'm going to be eating at a party, I will eat light the rest of the day to save some calories to splurge a little.
Liz
I think a healthy tip would be to take half of everything you decide to eat so instead of eating a whole piece a cake cut that piece in half. I also think drinking some water before a meal can help. Thanks!
Florida-Girl
For me it’s pretty simple. I eat normal in between the thanksgiving days, work parties and x-mas ect. Or try to go vegetarian/lean meats only two day on one day off [ two day vegetarian one day lean meat] No drinking in between but rather as a reward on the actual party days which generally will be maybe 7 total day of festivities? I also work out daily to maintain the Holiday stress at bay [if I don’t want to go to the gym, I walk around the neighborhood with the kids to check out the lights at everyone’s home=) Another trick is most of my recipes have large amounts of veggies or fruits minimizing the not so great ingredients. If I’m making a chicken I stuff it with plenty of veggies, if im making potatoes I add plenty of vegetables so there are not as many starchy elements and I avoid things like coffee, sodas, restaurants only buying what we need so there is nothing to pick on except fruits .
Stephanie
I try to control my portions and keep up with my 2-3 times a week walks. I allow some indulgence during the holidays...part of the joy of the holidays is in sharing good food with friends and family.
joni
Sad to say, but I do not eat healthy during the holidays---what fun would that be! But I do start dieting after the new year.
dolniaks[at]consolidated[dot]net
Tarah
I make sure I don't withhold the treats from myself, I just get the correct portion size so I get my fill and don't feel left out!
T. Lawson
I bring a healthy option to share at holiday parties so I know there is at least one dish I can nibble on without guilt.
Cynthia C
If you use a small plate, it looks like a lot of food when it's really not. Fill it up with the healthiest choices available and no seconds!
Mary M
I tweeted
twitter.com/#!/marybug2/status/14015619745718272
marybug2 at yahoo.com
Mary M
I have a healthy breakfast and then fill up on fruits and veggies, then main meal and then I am too full for desert.
marybug2(at)yahoo(dot)com
Toby
I try to control my portions by eating half of all the dinner foods put in front of me. As for the sweets (and I do have a sweet tooth) I select the ones most attractive to me and have a bite of each.
Sarah Hirsch
i am not great about staying healthy, but try to maintain normalcy with the way you would usually eat - don't eat more just because it is the holidays
Judith
twitter.com/sodahoney/status/13813276362149889