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| With this strategy, you will not fall victim to delicious holiday temptations! |
Many of us typically gain a few pounds over the holidays with all the delicious temptations set before us. However, there are some helpful tricks that can help keep your diet under control without missing out on all the extra special treats set before you.
What I always found to work before visiting during the holidays is to eat ahead with something small that includes some protein like a one cup serving of cottage cheese. This way if you fill up with a mini meal at home first you are not starving when you arrive at your destination. Doing so makes you more able to resist the platters of delectable hors d’oeuvres and cookies without falling victim to them. The reason this helps is because protein is what you need to keep your blood sugar levels balanced and cravings under control.
Of course, you don’t want to appear rude or miss out sampling some of the delights. Yet, you might want to steer clear of certain types of hors d’oeuvres on crackers or walk away from bowls with pretzels, chips and other salty temptations. Pretzels and chips are especially bad because who can eat just one chip or pretzel? The refined carbohydrates they contain have the power to stir up your appetite, which is not what you want. If a salty snack is what you long for, look for hors d’ouevres served on some fresh vegetable like filled celery sticks, filled mushroom caps, cheese, fruit, etc.
When it comes time to sit down to a meal, you have more freedom to treat yourself without worrying about piling on countless calories. What I do is zero in on two of my favorites on the table to add to my plate and less of whatever else as well. Guilt of overindulging is reduced without sacrifice in this fashion.
These few dieting tips really do make a difference to keep holiday eating from getting the best of you. It helps me and hopefully it will do the same for you.
