It’s easier than you think. It’s all about small choices you make in your daily life. These can be applied beyond the holiday season, but what better time to start looking at your eating habits than the holidays when temptation is at its highest?
Drink water.
This should be a year round goal, but drinking water is one of the most basic steps to being healthy. I won’t dive into the benefits as I’m sure you’ve heard it all before, but at a holiday party, opting for water instead of a refill of eggnog is a simple step you can take to still enjoy your favorite drink, but in moderation.
Eat regular meals.
This is a hard thing to remember around the holidays, especially if you know you’re having a big meal for dinner. Continuing to eat regular meals will prevent binge eating. Normally I would go for seconds or even thirds on dinner, even when I was full. Maintaining a normal meal schedule has made me realize that one plate of food is enough, and it cuts back on overeating and the “too full” feeling.
Remember to keep your plate colorful.
Probably the hardest thing to do at a holiday party is make room for vegetables on your plate, especially when those cheesy mashed potatoes are calling your name. It’s psychologically proven that providing variety in your meal in terms of color and texture helps satisfy you. A good rule of thumb is to always have something green along with a protein source, and fill the rest of your plate, as you prefer.
Watch the sugar.
What’s another cookie after a slice of pie? A lot, actually. Increased sugar intake leads to an increase in calories and, ultimately, weight gain. Stick to one dessert after a meal, and limit the sugary bites before dinner.
Keep portions in mind.
Another thing all of us should revisit is portion sizing. Portion size truly depends on your individual needs. An easy way to maintain your portions during the holidays is to serve yourself. Ultimately, you know how much you will eat and how much of each dish served. This will also cut back on wasted food.
When you read these, how hard do they seem? Not too bad, right? Like I said, it’s all about choice. You can choose to have that extra cookie, or drink three Mountain Dews. It’s just as easy to be unhealthy. It’s all up to you.
