INDIANAPOLIS – The holidays can be unkind to anyone’s diet, but with a few compromises and healthy choices, consumers don’t have to be deprived at this year’s dinner table.The Weight Loss Center at St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers has several suggestions to help stay on track during the holidays:
-- Eat five or six small meals daily, which can help to control blood sugar and to curb your appetite.
-- Eat a light, healthy meal a few hours before your holiday event. You can more easily control your intake if you are not overly hungry.
-- Eat slowly and listen to your hunger cues. If you are not hungry, then don’t have seconds.
-- When eating from a buffet, sample foods in small portion. Skip familiar foods and opt for special holiday items. Avoid extra calories by limiting sauces and gravies.
-- Sample only a taste of your favorite dessert.
And for those wanting to burn off some of those extra calories, here are a few of suggestions:
-- Drive past those close parking spaces and park further from the store’s entrance.
-- Take a couple brisk laps around the mall before you begin your shopping spree.
-- Layer on the warm clothes and enjoy a walk through your neighborhood’s holiday lights.
No calling birds, French hens in this eating plan
Whether you’ve been naughty or nice when it comes to your meal choices, the holiday season doesn’t mean you have to give up entirely this fall and winter.
In honor of the 12 days of Christmas, the St. Francis Weight Loss Center offers 12 ways for consumers to watch their waistlines while still enjoying the holiday season:
1. Instead of baking cookies with your children, create non-edible projects like wreaths, dough art decorations or a gingerbread house.
2. Plan to maintain your weight over the holidays. Decide which treat is worth the calories, take a smaller portion, and savor every single bite.
3. Think ahead to make mealtimes less hurried.
4. Experiment with seasonal produce, such as pears, oranges and cranberries.
5. Plan for parties. If you eat normally throughout the day, you’re much less likely to overeat at the party.
6. Lighten up. Substitute spices and fresh herbs for seasoning rather than fat and salt.
7. Make exercise time play time. Enjoy an afternoon of football, sledding, ice skating or playing in the snow. Or even enjoy the holiday lights while taking a long evening walk.
8. Discover different dips. Replace cream cheese with silken tofu, or experiment with dips made with nonfat cream cheese or sour cream.
9. Watch your appetizers. Limit high-fat choices such as fried chicken wings, miniature sausages and most cheeses. Choose fruits and vegetables instead.
10. Enjoy the mall. While shopping, stretch your legs and squeeze in some exercise in a warm, dry environment.
11. Be a happy host. Balance your famous cookies with healthier options. Grab a fruit or vegetable tray from the store. Be sure to send your leftovers home with guests. 12. Have a healthy holiday spirit. Cocktails, “real” eggnog and other holiday drinks quickly add up in calories. Alternatives include sparkling or hot apple cider, light eggnog or seltzer mixed with fruit juices.
12. Have a healthy holiday spirit. Cocktails, “real” eggnog and other holiday drinks quickly add up in calories. Alternatives include sparkling or hot apple cider, light eggnog or seltzer mixed with fruit juices.
