Holiday Fun Without The Weight Gain

The holidays are a time for visiting with family and friends for fun and great memories.
One thing that’s for certain is that you will find yourself surrounded by not- so-healthy food choices everywhere you go.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine confirms that more than half of all the pounds we gain during the year are packed on during the holidays! The problem is that a lot of us don’t lose those pounds during the new year, even though we have good intentions to do so.
The good news is that there are some simple ways to avoid eating the wrong foods.
Here are some tips to stay healthy this season and all year long:
KEEP the upper hand at parties by bringing one or two dishes that are healthier and tasty.
AVOID temptation with a full stomach. Eat a healthy meal before going to a party.
YOU won’t be hungry and can resist unhealthy treats. Just eat a few nuts or veggies at the party.
MANAGE your stress by identifying and avoiding potential stress triggers in advance so you aren’t tempted to overeat.
EAT before you go shopping or chose wisely if eating out.
AVOID buying goodies and setting them out at home or at the office. Keep temptation out of reach – out of sight – out of mind.
SURROUND yourself with healthy food.
Include some gluten-free foods at the holidays for the wonderful people in your life that need to follow a wheat-free, gluten-free diet. They will be delighted when presented with delicious food they can safely enjoy. The following are a few suggestions to assist you in providing wheat-free, gluten-free food items during the holidays:
MAKE your own gluten-free items. There are many cookbooks and recipes out there.
THE holidays are a great time to experiment with a new and exciting recipe. There is a cookbook called “Wheat Free, Gluten Free Cookbook for Kids and Busy Adults,” by Connie Sarros. It contains recipes for holiday treats and snack foods.
FIND out what your host will be having ahead of time. Offer to bring a dish or two. This way you can have something you can eat.
EAT before you go if you are unaware of what will be there.
KEEP snacks in your purse or car.
I like to try new recipes during the holidays and give out good recipes that are easy to make. Healthy food can be delicious with the right recipe. Make some gluten-free Christmas cookies to have on hand but don’t overdo it. It all adds up.
Most important, have fun and savor the company. Eat mindfully to meet the call of hunger whether you have food restrictions or not. Enjoy this holiday season without any regrets.