Enjoy the holidays, but have a plan
Packing on extra pounds can be one of the disappointing downsides to food infused holiday celebrations. Some of us just accept it as the time of year where cheating on our healthy food intake can't be helped. St. Joe's Dietitian Dan Tisi says it doesn't have to be that way! What you need is a plan.
Consider some of the good behaviours that help to keep a healthy lifestyle in check, things like getting enough sleep, maintaining an exercise regimen, keeping stress at bay and try to stick to the routine as much as possible. For example, if you are going to the in-laws for Christmas Eve cocktails don't look at the whole day as a lost cause in the calorie department. If you ordinarily exercise in the morning, do it. If your regular breakfast is protein rich yogurt, berries and a little oatmeal, follow through. Include a healthy lunch and maybe a light dinner so you don't show up famished.
If you have a few dinners to attend over the coming week, navigate the buffet table strategically. Load your plate with proteins and high fibre, leafy green vegetables. If Auntie Grace insists you have her traditional candied yams, do it on a second pass and keep it small. The same goes for desserts. If the tiramisu recipe has been passed down for generations and is considered a 'must have' keep the serving to a taste. It's best to steer clear of those craving inducing foods as much as possible.
When it comes to imbibing try to use diet pop or soda water as a mix, remember red wine generally has lower sugar content than white wine and intersperse your drinks with a glass of H2O.
"Share what your goals are," says Dan so family and friends know your intentions. "Then you don't fail the plan."