5 Simple Tips for Holiday Health

“Fooducate”
Every year we see it again. Late November signals the white flag of surrender for many people who give up their healthy habits without even a fight. It’s as if the holidays are a weapon of mass destruction, obliterating our weight loss achievements so far and crushing our puny willpower.

It doesn’t have to be this way. By approaching the next month and a half with a can-do attitude, you can weather the calorie storm, enjoy the down time, and feel great. Here are a few simple tips for you.

1. Don’t come (too) hungry. During the holidays, we are invited to many a tasty meal. A classic mistake is not to eat all day in order to make room for all the tasty treats awaiting us. However, this strategy backfires consistently because we tend to dramatically overeat. It’s the way our bodies have been wired by millions of years of evolution.

2. Start with water. Start all meals and parties by making sure you are properly hydrated. This will help reduce your overall caloric intake.

3. Be selective. Many holiday meals and parties are buffet style with a dozen or two options to lump onto your plate. They are not all of the same quality. Before getting in line, get a bird’s eye view of what’s available and decide to choose only a few of the most appetizing dishes.

4. Although the holidays last about 6 weeks, most of the time is technically not a holiday, just regular work days. Save you caloric celebrations for the few days that actually are a holiday – Thanksgiving, Christmas, an New Year’s eve.

5. Continue with your healthy routines – whether it is exercise or updating your food diary, keep at it. Don’t let Thanksgiving derail you for more than a day or two. Get back to your regular groove fast, especially since you should be having more free time, not less, during vacation.

What are your plans for eating and staying healthy this holiday season?