We’ve survived Thanksgiving, but the flurry of holiday temptations is far from over. If you’re health conscious like I am, you’re well aware that holiday parties and feasts can be a dietary minefield. But as much as we want to stick to our diet and avoid packing on pounds, we also want to allow ourselves to enjoy and indulge in the festivities.
There’s nothing wrong with good food. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying food. It’s one of life’s great pleasures!
With that said, you can take some steps to keep your feasting from getting out-of-hand. Avoid the regret but enjoy the spread with these tips.
7 Ways to Enjoy Holiday Foods without Ruining Your Waistline
1) Practice Moderation
Moderation is the key to survival at any party or feast. You don’t need heaping helpings to leave full and satisfied. You can trick your brain by using a smaller plate (you’ll think you’re eating more than you are) or by limiting yourself to one spoonful of the sides you wish to sample. If you’re like most people, your eyes are bigger than your stomach. Err on the side of “less is more,” and, if you’re still hungry afterward, I guarantee there will be plenty left for seconds.
2) Stay Mindful
Mindful eating is what keeps us from over-indulging. This is when you are intentional about savoring and enjoying every bite of food while also listening to your body. We must unlearn the “clean your plate” mantra ingrained in many of us by our mothers. Replace it with this: stop when you’re full. Mindful eating can prevent you from overdoing it while allowing you to enjoy the food fully and completely.
3) Know Your Biggest Weaknesses
We all have weaknesses. It might be a sweet tooth or a love of carbs. Maybe you like to pile your plate high with meat. Regardless, knowing what kinds of foods jeopardize your self-control is key going in to a big, festive meal. If you find yourself unable to stop after one helping, one cookie, one roll, or one slice of pie, it might be best to avoid the temptation altogether. When you’re aware of what tempts you most, you can try that much harder to resist.
And the best way to resist? Forgo the temptation altogether.
4) Be Choosy
I don’t know who needs to hear this, but I’ll say it anyway: you don’t have to try everything being served. You don’t need to try every appetizer, every side, or every dessert. Be choosy. Pick the foods that you know you love and will enjoy instead of wasting precious calories on things you could take or leave. Don’t fall into a mindset of food FOMO.
5) Count Your Drinks
Drinking calories is always a dangerous game. This time of year, the alcohol, eggnog, and cider flow freely. It’s good stuff, too – but beware of going back for refill after refill. Holiday drinks are full of sugar and empty calories. Pick a smaller glass if you want to indulge and be mindful of how many drinks you have. It’s okay to imbibe, so long as you don’t overdo it.
6) Eat Beforehand
I’m from the South. I know all about the culture of potluck dinners, buffets, and feasts. I can’t count the times people (myself included) have talked about skipping meals to “save room” for a big meal later. We think we’re banking all our daily calories so we can blow it all on one big feast. In theory, the math works out.
In practice? Not so much. When you neglect to satisfy your hunger before you’re faced with a big smorgasbord, you’re extremely prone to overeat. It’s like going grocery shopping on an empty stomach. You’ll be more tempted to overdo it, make impulsive decisions, and greatly exceed your caloric limits.
7) Prepare Healthy Sides
The holidays don’t feel the same without some unhealthy, fattening sides. We love mashed potatoes, the rolls, the decadent casseroles, and homemade desserts! One of the keys to staying healthy (especially if you are preparing or contributing to the feast) is to balance the indulgent dishes with healthier sides.
You don’t need mashed potatoes, candied yams, and mac n’ cheese. Supplement your feast with healthy roasted or sauteed vegetables (sans casserole), fruit salad, garden salads, and lighter dessert alternatives.
What’s your battle plan for surviving holiday feasts without packing on extra pounds? Share in the comments.