Celebrate The Holidays Without The Guilt

A family-size turkey with dressing, a healthy serving of honey ham, a heaping helping of stuffing, the side of green bean casserole, globs of mashed potatoes, a fresh green salad, a sample of cranberry sauce and grandmother’s sweet potato casserole anoint your plate as you lift your fork to your mouth. And that is round one, which was preceded with the sampling of various appetizers. After your second – maybe third – trip through the line, you will indulge in a couple desserts. Then, you will sit down to watch football and take a nap.

Stop right there! Before you make yourself miserable for the next few hours, take a moment to think about your body. What does it need and what is the best strategy for taking care of that need? There are ways to enjoy your holiday meal without food determining your holiday plans.

First of all, realize how much your body needs to feel satisfied after a meal. Remember to eat slowly for your food to digest. Placing your fork down between bites may help you slow down your food intake. Also, it is okay to leave food on your plate when you are satisfied. Simply set a portion aside and box it up for later.

Once you determine how much food you need to feel satisfied, consider what to expect at the holiday feast. What are your favorite dishes and what can you pass to the next person in line? You probably do not want to give up dishes that you truly desire but only receive once a year!

Now that you know what to expect, prepare your portions ahead of time. One idea is to draw quarters onto a paper plate. One quarter is reserved for your meat, which your body needs in limited amounts. Half of your plate is for vegetables. Try to include a majority of fresh vegetables that are packed with nutrients, like a salad with minimal dressing. The remaining space left on your plate is reserved for starches – like corn, potatoes or pasta. Try not to eat more than you planned prior to the meal. If you are still hungry, you can eat more vegetables.

It is almost a guarantee that you plan on eating dessert at some point, but consider a couple ideas that will not push you into your stretchy pants. Select a bowl of fruit topped with a modest amount of whipped cream to fix your sweet-tooth craving. However, if you cannot pass up the pecan pie, consider reducing the portion size of cakes, pies and other hearty desserts. Try a sliver instead of a chunk!

Enjoying your holiday feast, but celebrate the entire day. Take your nap and watch your football games, but fit in a walk around the block or play outside with the kids to burn off some of the “extras” you consumed. You are celebrating with friends and family – not food. Happy holidays!

Back To Articles