Rewrite Those Ridiculous Holiday Eating Tips
The onslaught has begun… “How to Prevent Holiday Weight Gain” stories popping up all over your feed.
Perhaps you recognize their formula?
Cheery opening (Tis the Season!) + Fear mongering (Do you know people gain an average of X pounds over the holidays?) + Clever strategies (If you eat X then you have to do 6000 burpies so choose wisely) = Fearful, Slightly Shamed Reader
Well I'm here to tell you the following:
This is all you need to know - Planning, Moderation and Movement - Say it louder for the people in the back 😅. It’s not about restricting yourself, just be smart about it that’s all.
PLANNING - Have smaller meals around your bigger one. Don’t Skip Meals. Saving your appetite for a big holiday party or feast? Don’t. Skipping meals during the day may result in overeating.
It is especially important to have breakfast, as research shows that those who eat this important morning meal tend to consume fewer calories throughout the day. Include lots of fiber by eating fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Fiber-rich foods are high in volume and will satisfy hunger, but are lower in calories.
There are many strategies to help you avoid overeating.
-Using a smaller plate, for instance, allows you to put less food on your plate and encourages proper portion sizes.
-Also, start by filling your plate with vegetables and salad before going to the entrees and desserts.
-Eating a salad before your meal can help you eat fewer calories overall.
-Eat slowly and savor every bite, and before you go back for seconds wait 10 minutes to see if you really still are hungry.
Pick a Strategy to Avoid Overeating — and Use It!
MODERATION- Holiday meals tend to be large, buffet-style and that often include second and third helpings. Yes it's a special occasion but think about it ... would you go back for seconds or thirds of dinner normally? If not, doing it during Christmas Dinner is not going to feel very good. If you break big portions into smaller ones and/or space out those portions by even 5 minutes, it can go a long way to helping you enjoy your meal versus being painfully stuffed.
Using this approach at the holiday dinner table will allow you to maintain a healthful eating plan — one that can also include dessert.
MOVEMENT - Of course intense exercise is not recommended after a large meal but if you can get some physical activity like a quick walk around the block it will help decrease the bloated feeling and get blood circulating all over the body again. By pure fact of physics, standing (after a meal) can help digestion as it there is less compression on the stomach/abdomen so stand and do a few postural stretches as your stomach definitely would've gotten a workout with that meal;).
Bottom Line:
Christmas is a time to enjoy the season, food and the togetherness. Listen to your body and enjoy yourself.
Now’s your turn! What are some strategies you use to help you feel great after awesome holiday meals?