Eight Tips to Help You Survive the Holiday Season!
Tip #1
Eat Breakfast and a Protein-Packed Lunch
This tip keeps you going strong all day, keeps your blood sugar at bay, and makes you less likely to stop at Cinnbon for a shopping day pick-me-up.
Breakfast Ideas:
Non-Vegetarians: Eggs and pork or turkey bacon, toast with almond butter
Vegetarians: A Super Green Smoothie with chia seeds and a handful of your favorite nuts
Tip #2
Go for Lean Meats
When standing in the buffet line, make smart, lean meat choices. Choose chicken and turkey first and in greater portions as this will fill you up and make you less likely to overindulge in fried, fatty or sugary foods.
Vegetarian? Try hummus, nuts and quinoa before desserts.
Tip #3
Drink Plenty of Water
This is especially important if you know you will be drinking alcoholic beverages later in the day. Alcohol dehydrates the body and it is important to replenish your body’s hydration levels before and after drinking alcohol.
Tip #4
Don’t Deprive Yourself
Many times we think if we’re planning to indulge in the evening, we should skip breakfast and lunch to save the calories. This is the last thing you want to do. Instead eat a healthy and hearty breakfast and a light lunch. This will keep you full and help you to make wiser choices at that Holiday party later in the day.
Tip #5
Start with Healthy Dishes
Staring at a table full of delicious foods, it can be so temping to start piling all your favorite fatty foods on your plate. Instead, fill your first plate with all the healthy food options that are offered. This will fill you up with fewer calories and then you can indulge in small portions of your favorites.
Tip #6
Bring Along a Guilt-Free Dish
There will always be plenty of sugary and fatty foods at any holiday party. So why not bring along a healthy dish that you know you can indulge in? Spoon up healthy portions of your own dish and garnish your plate with small portions of less-than-healthy alternatives.
Tip #7
Burn Calories Through Exercise
Maybe self-control with holiday foods isn’t your strong point? Than get some extra exercise to help offset those holiday calories. Take any chance you can get to exercise and burn more calories. Take the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator. Consider it a blessing to park far away and get in those extra steps!
Tip #8
Wear Form-Fitting Clothes
Now is NOT the time to break out the elastic waistband pants hanging in the back of your closet. Opt for clothes that fit so you can feel when you may have gotten out of control. This will also help keep you from overeating at events and parties. Nobody wants to unbutton their pants to make room, so skip the elastic and help yourself stay svelte this Holiday Season by wearing form-fitting clothes!
