The key to enjoying the holidays, and all the great foods that we seem to have around the holidays, while sticking to a healthy eating and lifestyle plan is moderation. Yes, everybody says it and everybody certainly knows it, but few of us actually manage to put it into practice.
For those of us who can’t seem to manage the moderation thing, here are a few tricks and tips to get you through the holidays without having to gain the usual ten pounds that the average American gains between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.
At Home: Plan some diet friendly treats
If you are entertaining at home, try incorporating some healthy and diet friendly treats. Remember, these aren’t just for you. Your guests will thank you for having healthy alternatives available!
1. Vegetable Tray with Lowfat Dip
This is so easy to do that I’m surprised more people don’t do it. A bag of baby carrots and a bunch of celery are inexpensive and easy to prepare. Just rinse both, then trim the celery stalks and cut them in half. Arrange them on a plate or platter and serve them with lowfat dip made with one pint of lowfat sour cream and one package of Hidden Valley Ranch Salad Dressing & Dip Mix.
2. Whole Grain Crackers with Cheese
This is another easy option. If you aren’t into the hearty whole grain crackers like Triscuits or Wheat Thins, try using whole wheat Ritz Crackers. After all, everybody loves a Ritz. Then serve with an assortment of sliced cheeses like Cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Colby. When it comes to eating, you can save yourself a lot of calories by just eating the cheese and skipping the crackers. To dress up this platter in an even healthier way, serve it with fresh fruit like strawberries, grapes and apples.
3. Homemade Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce with Splenda
This is a really easy one! Every bag of fresh cranberries has a recipe for cranberry sauce on the package. Just follow the instructions and substitute Splenda for Sugar, cup for cup. For every cup of Splenda you use, add one tablespoon of corn starch. This will help the sauce to thicken as it would with sugar.
4. Sugar Free Homemade Pies
Just as with cranberry sauce, you can cut the calories in homemade pies drastically by substituting Splenda for the sugar called for in the recipe. This won’t work with pecan pies, but every other pie I’ve tried seems to work really well and nobody ever notices any difference in flavor. Just remember to add one tablespoon of corn starch for every cup of Splenda you use.
Away from Home: Be Prepared
Eating away from home during the holidays is usually what bites us all. Here are a few suggestions on how to make it through these times without feeling like a failure.
1. Eat Before You Go
Have a high protein snack before you go. A protein bar or drink or a couple of hard boiled eggs will do the job nicely. Just remember to brush your teeth after having your snack.
2. Bring a Healthy Alternative
Bring one of the holiday treats I mentioned above like a vegetable or cheese tray or a homemade pie. At least this way you’ll know that you can safely have at least one item on the menu.
3. Don’t Deny Yourself
Don’t deny yourself everything on the table. Fill up with the healthy things like meats and vegetables but allow yourself a little of everything, even if it isn’t your usual diet fare. Denying yourself now can lead to bingeing later so don’t set yourself up for failure.
Whatever you do, have a very happy holiday season!
Related Blogs:
What Don’t You Understand About Moderation?