Six Tips to Help You Eat Healthier During the Holidays | Her ...

The holidays are a fun time of the year. They are filled with friends, family, and lots of food. Unfortunately, this is a time when people eat excessive amounts of unhealthy food. Spend this holiday season creating lasting memories, not an enlarged waistline. These holiday eating tips will help to ensure healthier eating and avoid holiday weight gain.

Eat Before the Party

Holiday parties are filled with sugary desserts and fattening food selections. Make it a point to eat dinner before going to a party. A small meal will prevent you from overeating at a party. The small meal should contain protein, healthy fats and carbohydrates. This will help to remove any feeling of hunger.

Eat Slowly

It can be tempting to try everything on the dinner table and then go back for more. Eating slower is a pretty effective trick for decreasing the amount of calories absorbed. Eating smaller bites and thoroughly chewing will help slow down the pace. The brain takes 20 minutes to send a signal to the stomach letting it know that it is full.

Be Aware of Your Alcohol Intake

Drinking festive holiday cocktails and other alcoholic beverages is one of the quickest ways to increase the intake of calories. Try to limit the number of alcoholic beverages ingested. A simple gin and tonic can have as many as 180 calories. These excess calories do not provide any nutritional value. Anyone that plans to drink should consider lower-calorie options like red or white wine. Regardless of the type of alcohol it is important to drink responsibly.

Spend Time Socializing

Do not immediately head towards the table after arriving at a party. Grab a beverage and socialize. Doing this will divert attention away from food. Another way to avoid eating too much is to have conversations away from the hors d?oeuvres table. It is tempting to reach over and snack during the conversation.

Eat Smaller Portions

Food is abundant during the holidays. Just because it is available does not mean that it has to be eaten. Most people?s idea of a portion size is much larger than an actual portion size. Eat smaller portions. Portion control limits the calories eaten. If the meal is plated, eat half of it and save the other half for later. There is no real problem with eating a lot of vegetables.

Liquids Hold Hidden Calories

The problems with the caloric content of alcoholic drinks were mentioned earlier. But alcoholic beverages are not the only beverages that contain a lot of empty calories. Eggnog, apple cider, and hot chocolate are filled with calories. Water, unsweetened tea, natural juices, and coffee are low-calorie alternatives to drinking high-calorie beverages. Anyone interested in a non-alcoholic, low-calorie drink should try mixing their favorite fruit purees with sparkling water.

The holidays are a great time to reconnect with friends and family. It is also a season filled with holiday parties that are known for having an abundance of rich foods and beverages. This year, try not to let the holidays wreak havoc on the body. Following these holiday eating tips will help people enjoy the holidays without regretting it later.

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Naomi Esterly balances writing freelance for 1800wheelchair.com

Source: http://hercaribbean.com/food/six-tips-to-help-you-eat-healthier-during-the-holidays

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