How to Stay On Your Diet During the Holidays

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By AprilThomas
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Image Credit: Robert Owen-Wahl

Holiday celebrations do not mean that your weight loss program absolutely must restrict you from enjoying special holiday foods and drinks. You can stay on track with a diet or weight loss program and still enjoy the holiday parties, foods and join in the celebrations. Smart food choices at the celebration and low calorie snacks before you go will assist you to stay on your diet during the holidays.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Diet plan, formal or informal
Willingness to make the right food and drink choices
Milk, fruit and raw vegetables on hand for snacking

Step 1

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Switch to light beer and lower calorie wines (no extra sweetening) when you decide to have an alcoholic drink. Limit your refills and portion size. Where possible, add extra ice to your drink to make it last longer and forego a refill. See next step for added assistance.
Step 2

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Careful of non-alcoholic drinks. if you are not certain that what you have chosen is a diet worthy drink, try a tall glass of water with a wedge of fresh lemon, lime or other fruit slice, and lots of ice. This is a great way to help yourself get through all the socializing until it is time to eat. Another alternative would be to bring your own diet drinks with you where possible.
Step 3

Plan your best diet tricks to stay on track. Deprivation of food while you are on a diet is not a good way to enjoy the holidays. Eat well, and choose foods carefully, especially when it comes to dessert items and those that are fried. Limit your portions according to your weight goals. You can always make some slight calorie reductions spread out over the next week to make up for an over indulgence.
Step 4

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Drink water or lowfat milk before you go out. This is a very good diet trick to eliminate over consumption of party foods. Have a glass of plain skim or 1% milk to keep up your energy level and put to rest any gnawing hunger pangs. This will keep you from over-indulging once you get there. Remember, milk is good for you and is not diet food, just a diet worthy drink.
Step 5

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Eat before you go out. Have a medium banana. That is only approximately 110 calories. Bananas are good for you and contain a good amount of potassium. A medium apple is likewise only approximately 110 calories and very good for you. Eat it raw with the skin. Fresh fruits are not diet food, but can be a good part of any healthful diet.
Step 6

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Appease hunger. Still in need of something to eat before you go out? Try raw celery. An approximately 4 inch stick has so little caloric value that it is not even worth counting. Have 4 or 5 sticks, enjoy the flavor and take time to chew them well and give your body time to recognize it has been fed.