Jan’s Top Ten Tips for Healthier Holidays
1. Use a smaller plate for all your meals. You will automatically take smaller portions and eat less if you use a smaller plate.
2. Keep yourself well hydrated. Keep a bottle of water at your desk or readily available during the day, and make it a habit to drink a glass of water between other beverages at parties and other social functions.
3. Keep your hunger at bay—don’t skip meals, even if you are planning to attend a party. Being overly hungry sets you up to over-eat.
4. Indulge a little in your favorite holiday foods—just keep the portions small, and take time to savor them. Skip the foods that are readily available at other times of the year, or that you don’t really care for.
5. Make sure you get enough sleep. Current research shows that sleep-deprived people have higher levels of ghrelin, a hormone that increases appetite.
6. Safeguard your fitness routine—but you might need to be flexible. All exercise counts, so if you know you won’t be able to do your usual workout, make it a point to take the stairs, park a bit farther from the entrance, get off the bus one stop earlier, or walk around the block during your break. Or plan active times with your family or friends that also celebrate the season, such as ice skating or visiting light displays at the zoo or public garden.
7. Be careful of the little bites and tastes. These can really add up quickly. Check out this slide show.
8. Find a comfortable place at parties that is across the room from the buffet table, and focus on the people and the conversation rather than the food.
9. It is OK to leave a few bites on your plate. You don’t have to be a member of the clean plate club.
10. Brush your teeth as soon as possible after you eat or taste something. That bright, clean feeling will discourage further eating.
