Holiday Eating Tips, Part I

Just because the holidays are approaching, don’t lose sight of all your hard work. YES, you CAN maintain control and stick to your weight loss plan during the holiday season, whether its Christmas, Hanukkah or New Years! You’ve got to make up your mind to do so and here are some tips to help you to stick to your weight loss plan during the holidays:

• Modify recipes to contain healthier food choices . Take and use the special menus designed for each holiday from the center you attend.
• Bring a dish to a party from the recipe book or special holiday menu for everyone to try.
• RE-GIFT - Give away to someone else the gifts you receive that are full of foods you don’t need to be eating.
• Set your own realistic goals, maybe this year to maintain your weight rather than gain during the holidays.
• Here’s a great appetizer that works -- wheat Melba toast with low fat cheese – DELICIOUS!
• Give the holiday leftovers to family and friends so you won’t be tempted to nibble on them.
• Chew sugarless gum or eat a sugar free hard candy while cooking to prevent tasting (or over-tasting) the foods you are cooking.
• Don’t save up all your calories for the parties, eat the foods on your plan and work with your counselor to add foods into your plan that are only found during the holidays.
• Don’t lose sight all of your efforts thus far if you do slip once during the holiday season. Each day is a new one. Begin again.

Remember the reasons for the season!