Enjoy Holiday Parties Without Weight Gain

Holiday partying is predictable: delicious food, stimulating conversation, lots of fun, and a few extra pounds.  Must there be consequences?   Wouldn’t it be nice not to have to spend the rest of the winter losing that holiday weight? 

Take Control with these Five Strategies:

1. Have a plan - Before you go to any party, ask what is on the menu so you can plan out what you are going to eat.  Offer to bring something healthy like vegetables, or a low-fat snack. Don’t arrive starving so that you feel justified to overeat.  Avoid mindless grazing.

2. Be selective – Skip the usuals (you’ve had white rolls, pretzels, cheese, crackers and pasta before!)  Instead, splurge on the food that is new or special.  Remember: the first two bites are the best--then leave the rest.

3. Fill up on conversation – Don’t eat to pass the time; focus on engaging with others.  If you can’t think of what to say ask a lot of questions—people love to talk about themselves, and you may deepen your connections with friends or family. Also, step away from the food and keep your back to the buffet table.

4. Portion control  – Drink from small glasses and use small plates if possible.  We tend to eat what is on our plates whether we are hungry or not. Which means, never eat out of the serving bowl—always put the pieces on your plate so you can keep track of what you’re consuming.  Chew slowly and benefit from feeling fuller with less fatigue.

5. Know thy enemy – The problem with most holiday eating is the amount of sugar we consume.  Excess sugar causes the body to store fat, creates cravings later on and crowds out the nutritious food.  Instead, choose slow-digesting food like vegetables and protein.

Enjoy your holidays and party without regret.  Start the new year feeling great!