As the holidays approach, it’s time for rest, relaxation and good food. But the continuous feasts, scrumptious desserts and endless leftovers can leave you feeling stuffed. To avoid loosening your belt or wearing sweats to the table to give your stomach a little more room, follow these few helpful tips.
No more grumbling. Don’t show up to the table on an empty stomach. It’s tempting to skip breakfast or lunch during the holidays when you know there will be a big meal later on in the day, but skipping meals will cause you to overeat and you’ll consume more food than normal.
Divide the dish. It’s okay to indulge in the holiday goodies, but use a smaller plate. A smaller dish will help you keep portion size under control. If you’re hungry after you finish the first plate, it’s okay to have seconds, but wait about 20 to 30 minutes to make sure you really are still hungry. It takes about that long for the stomach to send a message to the brain that its full.
Beware of the beverages. Alcohol is full of calories and sugar and no nutrients so be careful about how much you consume. It can also induce over-eating. Enjoy a cocktail or two, but don’t go overboard.
Palatable pastries. The dessert table can be tempting and all of the different kinds of pies, pastries, cookies and brownies look good enough to try. Feel free to sample them all, but limit yourself to slivers. If you want to eat a multitude of desserts, only take a bite of each to avoid packing in calories.
Bottom line, indulge yourself a little bit, but don’t go nuts. Just because its the holidays and time for celebration with family and friends doesn’t mean the calories don’t count and the pounds won’t pack on. If you remember moderation is the key, you’ll be free to eat all the yummy foods you want.
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