December 2003 - Holiday Tip

Holidays are DAYS not a 6 week binge Parties- always ask if you can bring something “safe” Veggie trays, salads, bowl of gazpacho, low fat dips,  Low fat cheese chunks with fruit and whole grain crackers Don’t go to parties hungry Move away from food tables- focus on friends and family Keep doing food records – If you’re documenting everything you eat you’re not going to want to write down a million different nibbles. Pick and choose. For family dinners- choose the treat that you only get this time of year- not something that you can eat anytime. Try to keep the portion reasonable. For alcohol- IT ADS UP! Do some “pacers”. Have some non-alcoholic drinks in between cocktails. Remember when you drink you lose inhibitions with food and also your stomach doesn’t register “that’s enough food” as well, which can lead to overeating. Exercise! On your extra days off do something active. Get a pedometer to monitor your steps at the mall. Spend a little extra time on the treadmill at home or at the gym, and don’t forget to do the resistance exercise which helps speed up metabolism in the long run. HAPPY HOLIDAYS! HAVE FUN AND BE SAFE