Concerned about Healthy Eating?
Enjoy a Guilt-Free Holiday
 The holidays don’t have to go to the birds. You can make it through the holiday feast without gaining a pound and enjoying your favorite foods, even the pumpkin pie, without overdoing it. The key to success is deciding what you’re going to eat before you sit down. Here, you’ll find some advice for getting through it all – the buffets, the cookies and the pies without spoiling your weight-loss efforts in one meal. For women, exercise and nutrition are vital to keeping balanced. Here are tips for workout plans and healthy eating:
- Workout plans for women - Commit to a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise every day the week of your holiday. Increase your workout time at the gym the day before, on and the day after.
- Proper nutrition is essential - Before you dig in, take a minute to scan the table or buffet and decide which the better choices are. Choose your indulgences carefully.
- If possible, serve yourself on a smaller plate. This will keep you from piling on the food.
- With each bite, place your utensils down and chew for at least 25 seconds. This will help you pace your eating. Remember, it takes your brain about 20 minutes to recognize that you are full.
- The best advice for healthy eating - Start your day with a balanced breakfast and eat every 3-4 hours. Oatmeal makes a great breakfast. Add fruit and protein, and you’re good to go for a few hours.
- During the day, if you find yourself hungry, snack on fruit and vegetables. Even a handful of raw, unsalted almonds will help satisfy hunger. And remember to drink plenty of water. This will help quench hunger.
- Skip the liquor and soda as these are senseless calories. Instead, try cranberry juice with seltzer and lime or a virgin drink.
- A taste or bite generally satisfies a craving. If you can’t stop at a bite of stuffing or candied sweet potatoes, weigh and measure portions.
- Bring sensible snacks with you while out for the day.
- Plan for no more than two treats during the meal, and be smart about the portion size!
- If you feel you must have everything, try a spoonful of everything.
- Write down what you eat in your food journal, even if you overdo it.
- Are you a guest at someone’s home for the holiday? Don’t go hungry. Be sure to eat a small snack before the event. Chances are the host will serve hors d'oeuvres. Choose olives, fruit and vegetables over chips and dip.
Don’t give yourself a guilt trip for going overboard. Recognize it, own it and move on to smarter choices as the day and/or weekend moves forward. The holidays can be difficult for most people – try to make exercise and nutrition part of your total workout plans. For women trying to stick to a healthy lifestyle, following these tips can help achieve a guilt-free holiday season.
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