How to Stay on Your Diet During the Holidays
For most people, holiday eating means abandoning diets and gaining weight. A little advance planning can help prevent that post-holiday bulge without ruining your holiday feast.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
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1
Reduce or avoid alcohol. This can save you a lot of calories.
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2
Eat before going to a holiday party. You'll be less likely to fill up on sweets and high-calorie appetizers.
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3
Keep up your exercise program. It will help you maintain your weight, give you more energy and allow you to deal better with holiday stress.
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4
Bring fat-free or low-fat dishes to potluck parties. Encourage others to do the same.
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5
Arrive at mealtime for a dinner party and avoid before-dinner drinks and appetizers.
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6
Replace sweets with healthy holiday snacks such as fruit baskets and nuts in shells. They look just as festive and are healthier.
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7
Attend only the parties you really want to go to. You'll save a lot of calories - and time.
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8
Simplify the meal if you are cooking. Serve raw vegetables with a dip for an appetizer, a low-fat main course with one or two vegetables, and a fruit and low-fat cheese platter for dessert.
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9
Set realistic goals. At a holiday dinner or party, indulge in some goodies, but eat smaller portions. Have only one glass of wine or Champagne. Take half a slice of pie.
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10
Avoid skipping meals before a big holiday meal. You don't want to arrive starving and then gorge yourself on sweets and other unhealthy fare.
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11
Use moderation and relax. If you break down and eat a high-fat dessert, just go easy on what you have the rest of the day or cut back a few calories tomorrow.
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12
Drink lots of water.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Following common sense is your best bet.
Don't be afraid to experiment with new - and healthier - types of holiday dinners.
