Cut Down On Party Snacks To Control Holiday Weight Gain
From the middle of November to the beginning of February the average person can gain up to 10 pounds because of holiday eating. It's not just the big meals like at Thanksgiving or Christmas, but also the other events like office parties or Super Bowl gatherings.
By Andrea Nisley,
UNL Extension Educator - Family Consumer Science - Dawson County
From the middle of November to the beginning of February the average person can gain up to 10 pounds because of holiday eating. It's not just the big meals like at Thanksgiving or Christmas, but also the other events like office parties or Super Bowl gatherings.
The best way to keep the pounds off during this time is to keep track of what gets eaten. Just because food is available doesn't mean it has to be consumed. If at a party, don't feel compelled to eat everything on the spread. Take a small plate and fill part of it up with fruit, vegetables, whole grain crackers with lowfat cheese and a handful of healthy nuts. Then walk away from the food. Don't stand next to it and converse because the urge to snack may happen. Watch out for the foods that are high in calories but not nutrients such as chips and dips.
If throwing a party, think of ways to make it health conscious. Try to get past the regular chips and dip. Think cut up vegetables, fresh fruit salads, lowfat yogurt dips, baked chips and salsa. Give the partygoers small plates, to help them avoid piling on the food. Set out a jar of nuts. If serving a cheese try to use low fat varieties. Instead of candy offer some healthy nuts. When serving drinks, consider having things like water or tea for people who don't want alcohol or punch with high sugar contents.
Finally, even with a frantic schedule, make time to exercise. It probably can't happen every day but exercise for 30 to 45 minutes at least four days a week. This will help keep the body in a routine and help keep stress at bay.
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