Can Holiday Eating Be Healthful?

All year we concentrate on nutritious and healthy eating habits. Then along comes the holiday season, and we’re tempted to blow it. One of the biggest concerns are the desserts, snacks, and hors d’oeuvres. For many folks, the partying starts before Thanksgiving and can last beyond the New Year’s celebrations.

To help you avoid temptation, here’s several tips prepared by Felice Schultz, MS., R.D. and Cecilia Moy, MS., R.D., clinical support dietitians. Designed with the holidays in mind, these tips are great for anytime of the year.

• Try to eat a small meal at home before going out or preparing a large holiday lunch or dinner.
• If food is served family style, choose small portions of the foods you’d like to taste, and never help yourself to seconds.
• Don’t skip meals prior to holiday gatherings. Most people find that if they skip one meal they just overeat at the next one.
• Pass over the extra sauces, dressings, and gravies. Many are high in fats and calories with little nutritive value. If you must, use them sparingly, measuring with a tablespoon instead of pouring liberally over foods.
• Drink a glass of water before you eat. It will help make you feel fuller so you eat less at mealtime.
• Eat slowly. Don’t shovel food into your mouth. Meals are not a race against time. Put your fork down after every bite in order to taste and enjoy each mouthful.
• Take a walk before and after eating. Contrary to popular belief, exercise does not increase hunger. It helps increase your metabolism, burns calories, and makes you feel good about yourself—something overeating never does.
• Brush your teeth right after you finish eating. Once you get rid of the taste of food, you won’t think so much about it. That second piece of cake or glass of eggnog does not go very well with minty fresh breath.
• When drinking alcohol, do so in moderation. Many alcoholic drinks such as liquers, sweet wines, and sweet mixers contain large quantities of sugar. Concoctions such as pina coladas and eggnog are full of fat. Alcohol stimulates the appetite and provides empty calories with no nutritional value.
• If you do eat too much, don’t give up your healthy lifestyle. The most you’ll gain is a pound or so. Get back to healthy living and look your best all year!