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During the holidays you can have your cake and eat it
too, just a smaller portion.
There are many “to
do’s” during the holiday season – traveling, shopping,
decorating, cooking, parties, and, of course, eating.
What is almost never on the “to do” list is dieting.
Many Americans gain weight during the holiday season.
That can mean as little as one pound and up to 10 pounds
between Halloween and New Year’s Day. A majority of us
will not lose that extra weight during the following
year.
Just
because the festivities of the season are upon us, it
does not mean we have to abandon our good dietary
habits. A few simple tricks can help to keep you from
overindulging.
Remember to be aware of what you are eating and how
much. Portion control is still the key. You do not
have to deprive yourself of your favorite holiday
treats, but don’t stuff yourself either. If you are
attending a party, eat a small meal before you go. Once
you get to the party, you can try small amounts of a
variety of dishes and sample everything without
overdoing it. Learn to say “no thanks” when a host
encourages you to try a second helping.
Eat
slowly (this is a good rule even after the holidays)
because it takes about 20 minutes for you to realize
that you are full. Moreover, the more slowly you eat,
the less you will consume.
If
you are preparing the holiday meals or hosting a party,
you can prepare healthier versions of your favorite meal
by using low fat milk, adding less butter, using
fat-free chicken stock or by serving more salads and
vegetables.
You
can still eat dessert – just a smaller slice of it.
If
you will be traveling, pick up some healthy snacks
before you leave so that you can pass up the fast food
or convenience store fare.
Although this is a very busy time of year, do not forget
to exercise. This will ease some of the
holiday-related stress and it will keep you moving.
Try to stick to your regular exercise routine as much as
you can during the holidays. If it is still early,
schedule a brisk walk or bike ride after a holiday
brunch or dinner.
For
more tips about nutrition, exercise and other ways to
stay healthy, visit the Southern Nevada Health
District’s
www.GetHealthyClarkCounty.org website.
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