This is sponsored content from BlogHer and The Laughing Cow.
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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Lewis F
It's important to eat small, healthy, snacks in the morning and afternoon. It will keep your metabolism ramped up so you are burning fat. And, You won't be as hungry when mealtime arrives.
Teegan Briggs
I have a rule for myself…before I go for the junk food, I will eat something healthier and then wait 20 minutes before indulging. So…if somebody brings over lasagna, I will have a banana and some salad before gorging myself on the fattening food!
pixie13
tweet, tweet
twitter.com/pixie13sweeps/status/19449337721389056
pixie13
I try to fill my plate with fresh fruits & veggies before going for the fat & calorie heavy foods.
Daniel M
limit yourself to just 2 indulgences a day
shel
I don't snack except Christmas day, then I allow myself to indulge in a few treats since I've been good for weeks. I also make sure I eat a huge breakfast before we go to my mother's for dinner so I'm not ravenous and overeat.
Debra F
I found that the time I overeat too much is at dinner (especially when there is pasta or potatoes), so I've taken to eating on a bread plate....seriously. It sounds like a tiny portion, but I fill the plate so I feel like I've got a whole plate full, and usually it's plenty of food. If I get hungry later, I have a healthy snack. Works well at parties too. I let myself have whatever I want as long as it can fit on one small size plate.
Lori Walker
I have learned to always bring a dish when going to a holiday party. Then, I seem like a gracious guest and know that there is at least one healthy option available!
Erica C.
I eat a healthy meal at home before I go to any holiday party. It keeps me fuller and less likely to eat bad treats.
catherine copeland
during the holidays I limit alcohol intake because that's empty calories. I healthy meal before heading out so I'm less likely to snack. Finally when I'm full, I stop eating
teechbiz at gmail dot com
Geoff K
I tweeted: twitter.com/guettel78/status/19070246883172352
Geoff K
To try to minimize my holiday treat and junk food indulgences, I drink a lot of water before and during parties so my stomach stays fuller the entire time, and I limit myself to one of any treat or one plateful from dinners and buffets. Thanks a lot for the chance to enter!
Elizabeth N.
I allow myself to eat small portions of what I'm really craving (like sweets). And then I pop in a piece of minty gum - it helps my mouth feel clean like I just brushed my teeth and then I don't want to eat anything else.
kelly w.
To eat healthy during the holiday season I keep a veggie tray & fruit tray handy for snacking – easy to just grab a small piece of fruit or a few cut veggies! To help manage portions I don’t use large serving spoons – just regular spoons.
chlorinebrain at sbcglobal dot net
Debbie C
Tweeted
twitter.com/DchrisG3/status/18901709690511360
dchrisg3[at]gmail[dot]com
Debbie C
I don't try too much at Christmas. But, I don't eat foods offered just to be social, cordial or nice to my hosts. I take small portions first, only finish what I really like and skip things like sugary sodas all together. I drink water usually.
dchrisg3[at]gmail[dot]com