This holiday weight issue comes up every year; somewhere in between “I don’t want to get fat this Christmas” and “Spring break is coming up and I’ve gained 10 pounds!” Aside from regular diet and exercise, restraint should be applied at the various holiday meals and parties attended throughout the season, if weight is of a concern.
Here are a few tips to avoid over-eating during the holiday festivities:
- Avoid trying to “save room” for your anticipated large meal. Have regular-sized meals leading up to it or even small (healthy) snacks along the way
- Don’t feel obligated to taste everything. Though it can seem tempting, go for the things you know you want and maybe one or two things that you would like to try for the first time
- As for making your plate, try to get just a sampling of each item you wish to eat. There is always a chance to go back for seconds, should you want to
- Eat slowly. It takes longer for our bodies to realize the stomach is full than our appetites
- Use a dessert plate. Dessert plates tend to be smaller than dinner ones and thus made for a slice of pie and maybe a cookie. If you wish to try multiple desserts, also try to get small portions of each just as with dinner portions
