Food, Holidays, and the Challenge
This time of the year can be one of the most challenging if you enjoy food. For me planning and preparation are the key to keeping my weight down though the holidays. Wanting to prepare something that would help my readers, I pulled out my Personal Eating Plan by Jackie Keller founder of Nutrifit. I read over her holiday ideas and liked them so much I asked her if I could include them in my column. I also read over them several times to help me on my trip to China where I am now. Traveling falls under the category of special occasion and Jackie’s idea and suggestions have really helped me. Enjoy reading over them and gleaning some ideas that will support you to keep on track though the holidays.
Achieving Balance During the Holidays
Having a healthy holiday or enjoying a special occasion encompasses more than practicing good nutritional habits. Try to strike a balance between the many dimensions of your life. When your personal, occupational, physical, physiological, and spiritual components are balanced, you are more likely to be successful.
Key Strategies for Staying Healthy
It takes a superhuman effort to say no to everything you’ll be offered during the holidays, so instead, try for moderation. Follow these suggestions and you’ll ensure minimal damage.
Portion Control is Everything
Many people lose weight and keep it off with the simple strategy of portion control. Eliminating or even limiting certain foods is extremely difficult during the holidays. So, do the next best thing: Eat reasonably small portions, limit the foods you know you should limit, and don’t stuff yourself.
The Next Best Thing to Behaving Perfectly is Behaving Well
Most of us know by now what our “trigger” foods are and the effects certain foods have on our mood, appetite and energy. If you can’t abstain from problem foods all of the time during the holidays, abstain from them most of the time. “Most of the time” is a lot better than “none of the time.”
Get off the Diet Mentality
If you think of yourself as being “on” or “off” a diet, you’re going to get into trouble. Why? Because as soon as you go off, you go off the “Deep End.” Don’t set yourself up for this disaster. You’re eating well for lifelong health, not dieting.
Don’t Skip Meals
A common strategy during the holidays is to skip breakfast – and lunch – because you know a big meal is coming, so you “save up” the calories for the celebration. This strategy backfires, because you come to the meal starving and wind up eating significantly more than you ever intended to eat.
Never Arrive Hungry
You know what foods you need to stay away from. Tempting foods are a lot harder to resist when you’re hungry and you blood sugar is low. An ounce of prevention goes a long way here. Try eating whole-grain crackers with light string cheese or an apple with some peanut butter to keep your appetite at bay. Try any of them an hour or so before a big holiday dinner and watch your willpower soar while your waistline stays in place.
