Holiday fun treats with little or no weight gain
In North America from Oct to Jan we have many fun holidays (Thanksgiving to New Year) in which we all enjoy good foods which lead to weight gains. You can avoid a Healthy Waist gain via changing some eating habits in holidays.
1) Try to eat breakfast every day
When you eat breakfast, you won’t feel the urge to grab a high fat, mid-morning snack, such as a doughnut, croissant or fast food muffin. Eating a balanced breakfast can also decrease the amount of food you eat later in the day. Try a bowl of high fibre cereal (at least 4 grams fibre per serving), with skim or 1% milk and a piece of fruit or glass of pure fruit juice. If you have to eat on the run make a fruit and yogurt smoothie or have a whole grain bagel with peanut or almond butter and a banana.
2) Use your Oct to December calendar to record the days of the week you exercise
Aim for at least 30 minutes a day, on most if not all days. If you get to the end of the day and have not been active – it’s time to get moving. Three 10-minute brisk walks throughout the day can have positive health benefits and help you feel more energetic. Walk to do your errands, to visit friends and to do your shopping, whenever possible. A walk or exercise in the evening can also help curb your appetite.
3) Avoid skipping meals
Not eating throughout the day can lead to overeating later in the day. Instead, have several small nutritious snacks or meals during the day. Try low-fat yogurt, fruit or fruit salad, vegetable sticks, leafy green salads, whole grain bread or bagels, low-fat muffins, bean burritos, hummus and pita bread, chili, tortilla wraps, rice dishes with beans or vegetables, soup, whole wheat crackers with peanut butter, a handful of nuts and dried fruit, a hard-boiled egg, milk, fruit and vegetable juice.
4) Watch out for party foods
It is easy to eat more than you really need! Pates, sausages rolls, cheese, snack crackers, egg and spring rolls, bacon wrapped scallops, and deep-fried chicken or fish pieces are typically high in calories and fat. Opt for the vegetables and fruit. Watch out too for the high fat dips! Choose dips that are made with yogurt or low fat salad dressing or mayonnaise.
Tip: If you overindulge on the finger foods opt for a light dinner afterward.
5) When eating out, choose foods that are steamed, baked, broiled, roasted, or poached.
Select meat, fish, poultry or vegetables prepared with lemon, tomato and herbs instead of butter, rich sauces or gravy. Have pasta with tomato based sauces instead of cheese or cream sauces. Dark leafy green salads with light vinaigrette dressing are a good alternative to higher fat Caesar and taco salads.
6) Enjoy a small taste of dessert
When faced with a tempting array of rich desserts try a few small pieces or share a larger piece.
7) Drink plenty of fluids other than alcohol.
Alcohol can add unwanted calories and can leave you feeling tired and run down. Alternate your alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic beverages such as soda or sparkling water, fruit or vegetable juices, and diet pop. If you drink alcohol, keep it to no more than 2 standard alcoholic beverages per occasion and no more than 14 alcoholic drinks for men or 9 alcoholic beverages for women per week. Water is the perfect choice to keep your hydrated and is calorie free
A few days of overindulgence will not undo your best intentions to be healthy but endless days of overeating and not being active will. The best way to prevent unwanted weight gain during the holiday season is to have a plan to be active and eat well and stick with it..
