Healthy Holiday Dining Tips

1.) Focus on Family & Friends-Not food

• It’s very easy for food to become the focus at social gatherings-especially the Holidays.  Cookies, stuffing, Egg Nog, fruit cake, cocktails, etc.  But this season try to move your focus to your friends and family.  Instead of double fisting cookies, sit and share holiday stories with a child or visit with a family member next to the fire.  Make memories not pounds!

2.) Plan Ahead-don’t go hungry

• It’s so easy to overdo it when we are hungry and walk into a dining room and are faced with large amounts of delicious food!  It’s kind of like grocery shopping when you are hungry-you end up buying a lot more of the foods you probably wouldn’t have purchased had you not been hungry!  To prevent this-try timing your meals in such a way that you have a small meal prior to arriving to a party or prior to entertaining.  This will help you focus more on friends and family and less on your hunger.
• Another great idea is to drink your water!   A great benefit of drinking enough water is an increased satiety or fullness. Water intake will help stave off hunger and “hold you over.”  Plan on drinking a 16oz bottle of water during the hour before you will be eating.  This will help you feel more satisfied on less food!

3.) Take Control-choose smaller plates, avoid family style dining

• Everyone loves Holiday parties!  When friends and family extend the invite, accept it graciously, but let them know you are watching what you’re eating.  This is perfectly acceptable to do-you would tell them if you had a food allergy right?  If they are concerned that their menu doesn’t fit your needs-offer to bring a dish or two to share.
• Also, always opt for the smaller plates.  While this can be more of a mind trick than anything else-filling up a smaller plate vs putting very small amounts on a larger plate can be very satisfying-mentally.  Ask for a salad plate if they are not readily provided.  If smaller plates are not available-hold the large plate in your hand and fold your thumb over the edge –hold the plate like this while you are making your selections and don’t let your food pass the tip of  your thumb at any point on the plate (think of an imaginary line running from the point of your thumb around the plate).

4.) Move before munching

• This is a great time of year to take advantage of the great outdoors.  Hiking, cycling, running, etc are all great seasonal activities.  Don’t let the colder temps hold you back from being active-its all the more important if you will be partaking in Holiday parties!
• If you are not an cold weather person-treat yourself to a new fitness dvd and make it a regular part of your day.  Get family and friends involved for a holiday themed workout.  For example: take a Turkey Trot or Christmas Day Cardio!

5.) Make your cocktails “mocktails”

• Make an early resolution not to drink your calories.  Egg Nog, spirits, wine, and beer are all typical holiday beverages.  But you can enjoy fun, refreshing “mocktails” without the carbohydrates and calories!  Try mixing  1 packet calorie free drink mix with 8oz sparkling water into a 16oz glass, squeeze in a  ¼ of a lemon or lime, drop lemon/lime wedge into glass, stir well, and fill the glass with crushed ice, ENJOY!

Thanks to Dr. Wayne Anderson for these holiday tips from www.drwayneanderson.com