How to Avoid Gaining Extra Weight Through the Holidays

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.   

How to Prevent Overeating at Holiday Parties

The holidays are the perfect time to pack on those excess pounds without even realizing it until the next time you step on that scale.  Over indulging is easy with all those tempting cookies, desserts, appetizers, and other delicious special dishes we are exposed to.  The problem is made even worse when attending the round of holiday parties with cocktails and buffet tables loaded with various assorted yummy delights just waiting for you to sample.  However, there are some ways to prevent yourself from overeating for a party.

1.  Eat four almonds fifteen minutes before arriving at that party.  The fat content of the almonds will help satisfy and curb your appetite so you won't attack that buffet from sheer hunger.

2.  Do not stand in front of the buffet table and chat.  If so, your hand could keep reaching for things to nibble.  You might not even notice how many of those awesome canapés or cookies you ate in the midst of conversation.

3.  Cocktails are loaded with extra calories. Some fancy ones can have several hundred while a glass of white wine can be 150.  Learn to nurse the cocktail in your hand instead of drinking a few for each party since they do add up. 

4.  Avoid the fried offerings and narrow in on your healthiest options.  Eat but do not fill that plate with food.  Don't flutter around that buffet table like a butterfly.  Instead pretend you're a sparrow and nibble and then fly away to socialize.

5.  If you need to look like you're eating to fit in, then find the fresh, raw vegetables on that buffet table first and detour past the dips. 

These are just a few secret ways to save you from accidentally gaining that holiday weight.  I do hope this helps!