The holiday season for many of us means fun, friends, family, and lots of
food. To curb the desire to overindulge, Healthy Fontana has offered a few tips and recipes
for avoiding holiday weight gain while at parties and at home.
In "Ten Tips for Healthy Holiday Eating," Greata Macaire, R.D., offers advice
to people to avoid gaining weight over the holidays. With a few tricks and a little self-discipline,
staying healthy during the holidays can be easier than many think.
Quick Tip: Skip all the dishes at the buffet.
When looking at the buffet, try to focus on the more healthful items and
those dishes that you truly like. Choose small portions of dishes you like to help you feel
more satisfied. If you plan to drink at a party, be careful how much you drink. The more
you drink, the lower your self-control which may lead to overeating. When attending pot luck
dinners make sure to bring your own healthy meal.
Quick Tip: Resist the urge to eat by taking up a hobby such as quilting.
While out on the town avoiding indulgences is just as difficult. Party-goers
need to focus less on the food and more on the guests and events. One of the best defenses
is to make sure to eat a small bite of food at home before leaving for the party. Another
way is to avoid the high fat items that can be found in appetizers. Substitute ingredients
that are higher in fat with those that are fat or sugar free.
While at home, some of the best solutions to overeating are to remove the
temptations.
"Take the focus off food. Turn candy and cookie making time into non-edible
projects like making wreaths, dough art decorations or a gingerbread house. Plan group activities
with family and friends that aren't all about food. Try serving a holiday meal to the community,
playing games or going on a walking tour of decorated homes," says Macaire.
Macaire also lists several ways to reduce fat intake over the holidays.
Some of her ideas include skimming the fat off of gravy, how to make a great green bean casserole
without the onion rings, and tasty desserts. To read her suggestions, please visit the California
Pacific Medical Center at www.cpmc.org.
Healthy Fontana has a new cookbook- available at the end of November for
only $7.00. Please call (909) 350-6542.
Click here for a few recipe ideas.
