It’s the holidays, and we’ve all known that special holiday hunger; you go to visit friends at a gathering and somehow leave the party having consumed more than half of a week’s worth of calories, and all of it was so delicious. Most of those calories consumed came from social eating, the dangerous snacking while gossiping. On top of that, in many families, it’s even considered rude to say “no” when someone offers you something to eat! Do you know how long she spent making that pie? Have some!
Mindless eating
The holidays are packed with sugary treats and temptations and the gatherings that feature them; it’s no wonder this season is when most dieters fall off of the wagon. Dr. Brian Wansink is a food psychologist and author of Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think (Bantam, 2006). His research argues that holiday weight gain can be minimized not by dieting, but by practicing tips like these – eating off smaller plates (because small plates make food look bigger) and eating two vegetables with every meal (because the more variety you have, the more you’ll eat).
Holiday weight loss– otherwise coined holiday weight maintenance– involves being highly strategic about how not just what you eat, but more importantly how and where you eat. If you find yourself craving sugar or carbs on the daily over the holiday season, find ways to channel your energy without eating. For example, you could organize social activities that take you away from the table and out into the world. If you frequently succumb to food cravings, do things that take your mind off eating; treating yourself to a new book, or a hot bath. Learn what it means to be a mindful eater – because unfortunately, mindless eating leads to weight gain. Try these tips and tricks for maintaining your weight while still enjoying the season.
Water yourself
Water is miraculous for our bodies as it is, but when you hold and sip a glass of it at a party, you won’t be reaching for extra food. Try physically making it more difficult to reach for sweet foods – just by having your water in hand instead of a sweet treat. This works even better if you have something else to hold in the other hand! In addition to making it harder to hold onto other food, you will be filling up on water, which has zero calories.
Praise the veggie plate
What if you’re still smelling all of those foods, and still hungry? Scope out the dishes with the fewest calories. Veggies are jam-packed with nutrients, low calorie and generally more healthy than what you would get from some of the other prepared appetizers.
Bring your own delightful dish
Are you going to a party where you know that the food choices won’t be healthy? Try taking your own prepared dish. You’ll have time to research delicious low-calorie bites while sharing your creation with the guests – healthy and a great conversation piece.
Work out before you attend
If nothing else, try a productive workout session before your party. At least then, if you indulge just a little too much, there won’t be too much damage done to your waistline. Plus, those who work out with aerobic exercise tend to burn calories throughout the rest of the day! If you run out of time prior to the gathering, schedule a workout the following day to get your exercise session in- you’ll have added incentive to exercise.
All of these little tips and tricks are the most effective when you remain mindful of your weight goals. Take the time to savor, and monitor, each bite of delicious decadence you sample this season and don’t let mindless eating overcome your health.
