By Cassie Brill
Face it -- delectable goodies can be a real challenge to a dieter’s willpower when the holiday season rolls around. But you can avoid adding extra pounds during the six weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, if you plan ahead to battle the holiday bulge. Here are ten tips to help you resist temptation and prevent weight gain. 1. Add 10 to 15 minutes to your usual exercise routine.
2. Don’t attend a holiday party or dinner on an empty stomach. Eat a small, nutritious snack, such as carrot sticks or pretzels, before attending the festivities, to lessen the temptation to overindulge in foods high in calories and fat.
3. Consume fewer calories the day before and after the holiday.
4. Go easy on alcoholic drinks. Alcohol is packed with calories, so cut back on the number of alcoholic drinks you consume at holiday parties. Avoid mixed drinks made with cream-based liqueurs, cream, and coconut milk, since they add even more calories. A glass of sparkling water will fill you up and keep your hands occupied, so you will be less likely to reach for snacks.
5. Put two or three appetizers on a napkin instead of a plate, which is larger and tempts you to add more food.
6. For hors d’oeuvres, reach for the vegetables or fruit and leave the dip behind.
7. Sample small portions at a buffet. Take smaller bites, and put your fork down while you chew.
8. Stand far away from the table full of goodies, so you won’t be tempted to nibble.
9. Eat slowly. It takes about 20 minutes for hormones to signal the brain when you're full.
10. Offer to bring a low-calorie dish to the holiday celebration.
As you can see, weight management is more about moderation than being deprived of eating your favorite holiday foods.
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