By Kate Horney (www.beyondfitphysiques.com)
Have I told you that I love desserts? I think I may have mentioned that I don’t just have “A” sweet tooth…
No, no…. I have sweet TEETH.
(yes, as in plural- as in every single tooth in my mouth is a sweet tooth).
This season of Christmas cookies is tough for me. Reindeer mix (have you tried that? White chocolate, m&m’s, pretzels, etc), 7 layer bars and fudge… oh heaven help me!!
Thankfully, after years of living the fat loss lifestyle, I have come to find some great tips for navigating the holidays, keeping my waistline in check, AND still enjoying myself.
The holidays don’t have to mean weight gain.
Focus on a healthy balance of food, activity, and fun. By implementing a few simple tips you can stay healthy through the holiday season.
5 Tips for Healthy Holiday Eating:
Be picky. Picky kids are a pain, I know. But when it comes to holiday eating, you can be a picky parent. Survey party buffets before filling your plate. Choose your favorite foods and skip your least favorite. Include vegetables and lots of protein to keep your hunger, energy and cravings balanced.
Lose the booze. Or at the very least, be careful with your beverages. Watch both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages that are loaded sugar. Opt for low sugar drinks, or stick with water!
Get Real. The holidays were meant to be enjoyed with friends and family. Honestly, it’s no fun to be on a crazy strict diet during the holidays. Don’t do that to yourself. Instead, be realistic. Don’t try to lose fat during the holidays, just try not to gain! Instead try to maintain your current body fat % and enjoy maintenance.
Go Guilt Free. If you overeat at one meal, no big deal. Ditch the guilt and simply go light on your next meal. Fill up on fiber and protein and you’ll be just fine. It takes 500 calories per day (or 3,500 calories per week) above your normal/maintenance consumption to gain one pound. It is impossible to gain weight from one piece of pie!
Pitch In. Bring your own healthy dish to a holiday gathering or offer to help with parties, meals, etc. and share some of your favorite fat loss friendly versions of traditional holiday favorites. Who knows, you may be able to inspire friends and family to get on board and join you in your healthy lifestyle! And even if you don’t, at least you know you’ll have a few dishes that you can enjoy freely. Here are a few quick tips:
Give your family the gift of healthy by teaching them how to make healthier recipes & food choices this holiday season.
Gravy – Refrigerate the gravy to harden fat. Skim the fat off. This will save a whopping 56 gm of fat per cup.
Dressing – Use a little less bread and add more onions, garlic, celery, and vegetables. Add high fiber fruits such as apples. Moisten or flavor with low fat low sodium chicken or vegetable broth and unsweetened applesauce.
Mashed Potatoes – Use almond milk, chicken broth, garlic or garlic powder, and Parmesan cheese instead of whole milk and butter. Or try an even fat loss friendlier version and serve mashed cauliflower!
Desserts – Make a crustless pumpkin pie. Top cakes with fresh fruit or some unsweetened dark cocoa instead of sugar loaded frosting.
Enjoy the holidays, remember the REASON for the SEASON, and if you can, incorporate healthy recipes and tips into your holiday meals. In the long run, your mind and body will thank you. 🙂
If you’re not sure where to start for a healthy holiday? We have tons of delicious, healthy and easy recipes at BeyondFit Life!
If you need ideas for healthy week night dinners, fat loss friendly snacks, quick and easy breakfasts, and more… you will love the recipe section of the portal! And to make things even better: you can download all our member recipes IMMEDIATELY so you get started with your healthier life TODAY!
By Contributing Author: Kate Horney, BeyondFitPhysiques.com