Normally, holidays are the definition of overindulging in some of our favorite foods. While you shouldn’t deprive yourself of enjoying a delicious meal with your family, you can use the following tips to avoid breaking your newfound healthy habits and keep your weight in check.
- Make healthier choices when eating. Make sure you’re getting your daily protein intake, your recommended portions of the different food groups and your fluids. This doesn’t mean you can’t have a small treat, but always choose what is best for you and your body. Follow your meal plan and keep in touch with your nutritionist to learn about healthy substitutes to holiday foods with an excess of fat or sugar.
- During dinner, use smaller plates for portion control. This will help with fewer calorie intake. Theories also suggest that, when presented with the same amount of food in a big plate and a small plate, your brain will perceive that the smaller plate has a bigger amount of food. You should also remember that it takes your brain 20 minutes to register fullness, so eating slowly and taking a minute after finishing your plate to assess if you’re still hungry before going for seconds. These are great ways to watch your calorie intake.
- As always, drink plenty of water. Aside from keeping you well hydrated, it will filter out waste from your body, help you avoid constipation and keep you feeling great. Drinking water is very important when dealing with food anxiety as well: People that eat even when they’re not hungry can find that water will give them that sense of fullness without having to resort to breaking their diets.
- Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages with your dinner. These are empty calories that have no nutritional value whatsoever. On the contrary, calories found in licor, and even regular sweet drinks, do not keep you full for long, thus forcing you to eat and snack, which leads to a higher calorie intake.
- Lastly, take advantage of the cooler temperatures to get a good workout without sweating before you even start. You can enjoy the beautiful autumn scenery while going on a hike or a nice stroll without the threat of getting a sunburn.
Holiday meals don’t have to be a source of anxiety or frustration. Not with the help of your weight loss team at Diabetes Obesity Clinic. We want you feeling and looking your best during the end of year celebrations!
Need more information about how we can help you achieve your target weight in a healthy and long-lasting way? Contact us:
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