Healthy Holiday Eating

Keeping Your Balance

People usually run into problems with weight gain during the holidays when they enjoy more high-sugar or high-fat foods. So what to do? Enjoy yourself! Eat tempting holiday foods, but use a bit of restraint. Eat small portions to keep yourself from indulging too much.

At the same time, be sure that you and your family members are getting enough of the nutritional foods your bodies need. Snacks and desserts are fine, but they're not meals. See that everyone keeps his or her nutritional balance with servings that include fruits and veggies.

Washing It Down

What you drink during the holidays can add calories. Look at all of your options. Alcoholic beverages and many fruit punches can be long on calories but short on nutrition. Instead, look for hot cider, diet sodas, and flavored waters.

Playing It Smart

Here are a few more tips for healthy holiday eating:

• Eat smaller portions of food. This is especially important at a buffet, where you may want to try everything. Choose the items you want to try the most, and eat a small portion of each.
• Eat slowly. Many times, people eat so fast that their stomachs don't have enough time to register that they are full. Savor each bite and enjoy the taste of the food-chances are you will eat less.
• After a meal, go for a walk with your family to see holiday displays in your neighborhood.
• Offer to bring a low-calorie dish to holiday parties. Your host might appreciate it, and you'll know that at least one healthy item will be on hand.
• Don't park yourself in front of the buffet at a party. Mingle! If you stand by the buffet, you'll eat more than you would if it was across the room.
• Avoid fast food. The holiday season can keep you on the go with little time to prepare meals. Fast food may be handy, but often is high in fat. Prepare and freeze quick, healthy meals ahead of time to stay out of the fast food trap.
• Be realistic. Don't try to diet during the holidays; just aim to maintain your present weight.

Food and holiday gatherings go hand in hand. So join in and help yourself to some tasty treats, keeping the Food Guide Pyramid in mind. If you've been exercising, keep it up during the holiday season. If you aren't getting enough exercise, it's a great time to start. With a dash of discipline and a pinch of planning, you'll have a great recipe for holiday fun without the regret that many of us feel the next time we step on a scale.