By Jennifer Lane,
registered dietitian, Rouge Valley Health System
The holiday season is a time for enjoying the company of
friends and family, and sharing food and drink aplenty. But for some, this also means a fear of
gaining weight. Here are a few tips on
how to survive the holiday season, without the risk of increasing a dress or
pant size.
1. Never go to an
event hungry. A healthy snack of
veggies and hummus or fruit and yogurt will prevent you from overindulging on
the higher calorie treats that are sure to be on the menu.
2. Don’t drink all
your extra calories. The specialty
cocktails and liqueurs are the ones that have the most calories. If you choose to consume alcohol, have a
mixed drink of hard liquor, like vodka and diet soda, or club soda with lemon or
lime, and go easy.
3. Be selective. Having a few appetizers can deliver as many
calories as an entire meal. Choose
appetizers that are not heavily loaded with fat, like the ones made with brie
cheese or pastry. Try choosing veggie
spring rolls or appetizers wrapped in lettuce as an alternative.
4. Plan ahead. If you know you will be eating more than
usual in the evening, choose low-calorie, high-fibre foods for breakfast, lunch
and snacks. For example, have steel-cut
oats for breakfast, and a large salad with chickpeas for lunch, plus fruit and
a low fat yogurt for a snack. Go to
www.myfitnesspal.com to sign up for a free program that helps you plan your
daily calorie goals.
5. Be active. If you plan to overindulge, try to fit in one
or two extra workouts for the week. This will combat the extra calories
consumed. A 30-minute jog can burn up to a whopping 350 calories!
Whatever you plan for this holiday season, choosing healthy
meals while remaining active can help to make your holiday season even
brighter, and keep the worry of gaining extra pounds at bay.
No comments:
Post a Comment