LiteHouseDiet

Every year, the average person gains 1 pound. And of course, the holidays are the worst time – most of that weight will be gained between Thanksgiving and the end of the year. You certainly enjoy the holiday festivities, but the amount and variety of food leads to temptation. The use of portion control and moderation will help eliminate this problem, and so will these diet tips!

Don’t Deny it, Just use Moderation: This holiday season, when you see all of the homemade goodies and the bountiful feasts, try it all! The key is to use portion control when you do so. Sample just a little bit of everything, rather than attempt to appease everyone by eating huge portions of what they cooked. Don’t pour on the gravy – put some on the side of your plate and lightly dunk. You don’t need to cut extra toppings and unhealthy foods out completely, just eat them moderately!

Fill Up Ahead of Time: Have a drink of water before you leave for that holiday party. Studies show that this will help fill you up, and help keep you from overeating once you arrive. In addition, don’t skip meals – by eating small meals throughout the day you’ll always have food in your body. This virtually eliminates the feeling of hunger, which leads to eating less.

Take Your Time: Finishing first isn’t the goal when you’re eating large meals! When food is shoveled into your body, your stomach doesn’t have a chance to tell you that it’s full. Eat food slowly, and allow your stomach to fill up normally. Also, by slowing down you can really savor each tasty bite. You may find that it takes less to feel satisfied when you take food one bite at a time.

Hold Hands: It’s helpful to hold onto something with your dominant hand. Whether that something is a glass of water, or your loved-one’s hand, research says that you will be less likely to pick up something to eat if your hand is already busy.

Drink Smart: When you think of calories, you think of foods. Something often overlooked is the hidden calorie content in alcoholic and sugary/sweet drinks. One margarita has 453 calories, that’s the same as eating a McDonald’s Big Mac! Non-alcoholic drinks can also pack a punch; a Starbuck’s Double Chocolate Chip Frappuccino contains 580 calories. That’s the same as eating a slice of cheese pizza and a cheesy breadstick combined. Keep track of those drinks and limit your calories by drinking water or diet soda instead.

The holidays are a great time to celebrate and family dinners are always events we remember and cherish. Don’t let dieting and the worry of gaining weight stop you from enjoying all of the delectable dishes. Watch your serving sizes, and use portion control when eating. Pay attention to your food and slow down.

And if, like so many other people, your New Years Resolution is to lose weight, continue the portion control you started over the holidays. Using a portion control plate can help you stick with that resolution, and give yourself the best present of all – good health.