Weight control during the Holidays

The Holidays are right around the corner, and most of the festivities involve food, which can be challenging for many people who are trying to watch their weight. The average American gains 5 pounds between Thanksgiving and Super Bowl Sunday, and over five years, that’s 25 pounds!

But with some advance planning, it’s possible to maintain your weight through the holiday season. Here are some tips from the experts:

• Don’t deny yourself long time favorites, such as Aunt Betty’s candied sweet potatoes on Thanksgiving day. Allow yourself a medium-size portion, cut back on the turkey (you’ll probably be having left-overs the next day) and then fill your plate with other lower calorie items such as plain vegetables. And do allow yourself a small slice of your favorite pie.
• Plan ahead. If you’re planning to attend the office Holiday cocktail party, decide ahead of time which of your favorite drinks and hors d’oeuvres are high on your list, and avoid some of the more mundane items such as crackers and cheese. Drink water alternating with your cocktails, so your drinks are spread throughout the evening.
• Avoid fasting during the day to save up your calories for an evening dinner party. Instead, eat several small low calorie meals and drink plenty of water throughout the day. When the body goes without any food intake, it perceives that it is starving, so it is more efficient at extracting calories when you do finally eat that big meal.
• Eat a high-protein snack, such as turkey slices or string cheese, and drink a big glass of water an hour before your evening festivity. This will help to curb your appetite, and make you less likely to overindulge at the party.
• Commit now to a “new year, new you” health plan for the coming year. Don’t wait until January 1! It’s much easier to plan ahead and avoid weight gain, than to lose it after you’ve gained it.

For more information on healthy Holiday eating, go to: http://Integralhealthsolutionswi.com