Christmas is just around the corner. That means more social events; cocktail parties; yummy high calorie h’ors deuvres and probably lots of good wine, champagne and ‘specialty’ sweet cocktails. It’s easy to over indulge and pack on an extra 5-7 pounds during the Holidays because those calories add up quickly. So here are my Smart Holiday Eating tips for enjoying Holiday time, eating well and staying fit.
TIP #1: Keep up your exercise regime no matter what! I always work out onThanksgiving and Christmas morning as early as possible so I can enjoy the big feast without guilt or deprivation! Go for an early run, walk, swim, yoga, Bar Method class or whatever you do that helps set your tone for the day.
TIP #2: Don’t deprive yourself of food all day to “save up” for the big dinner. It’s better to eat a light breakfast – maybe some fruit, yogurt and granola or a soft boiled egg and sprouted wheat toast with almond butter. Or perhaps a sliced apple with peanut butter and then a fresh salad for lunch. Eating small consistent meals throughout the day will help keep your burners burning and it’s much better for your metabolism in the long run. If you don’t eat, your metabolism shuts down and then you will eat too much food all at once and crash!
TIP #3: Choose your appetizers &/or h’ors deuvres wisely. Some of those little scrumptious bites are 150+ calories a piece. Enjoy fresh vegetables with hummus, rice crackers with hard sharp cheese, cucumbers, etc., vs. those little bites wrapped in puffed pastry or phyllo dough – the fresher the better. And just make a decision to limit yourself to perhaps 5-6 different things and 1 glass of wine or 1 cocktail before dinner.
TIP #4: When it comes to the big meal – this is where I give myself a hall pass. I like to have small portions of everything I’m craving so I feel satisfied. Obviously if a roast turkey is being served you are best off having the white breast meat without the skin or gravy but lets face it, what’s Thanksgiving without gravy or stuffing? My motto is: everything in moderation. I have a little bit of everything I REALLY REALLY want and I pass on the stuff that doesn’t excite me because I look at it as just waisted calories. Which usually means my plate is: dark meat turkey, stuffing, cranberry, mashed potatoes, and gravy. I keep it simple and true to my tastebuds.
TIP #5: Dessert! This is always a dilemma for me. I love to drink wine during the Holidays so I make a choice between wine or dessert. I never have both because both are high in sugar. So that’s what works for me – if I’m going to indulge in that decadent slice of warm pecan pie with a dollop of whipped cream – I don’t have a 2nd glass of wine. And if I really, really want another glass of wine, I pass on dessert. It’s called willpower! You can do it.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND HAPPY EATING!
