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Enjoy the Holidays -- But Not Too Much
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T he holidays are all about giving. But most people get a little something, too -- extra pounds.
During the next several weeks, expect to gain five to 10 pounds or more if you let your eating habits go unchecked.
Marjorie Sawicki, instructor of nutrition and dietetics at the School of Allied Health Professions, has some tips to prevent weight gain during the holidays:
Don't skip meals. You may anticipate eating a big holiday party meal and skip breakfast and lunch. This can result in uncontrolled hunger, and you may consume more calories overall at one meal. Instead, eat a sensible breakfast and lunch, and then you won't be famished by dinnertime.
Bring "safe" foods. If you are invited to a holiday party, bring along a tray of food you feel is healthy, such as a vegetable tray or a Dutch oven filled with broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, onions and red and green peppers ready to steam. You may find your food tray the first to disappear. Sawicki said if people are given the option of a healthy snack, they often will opt for it.
Exercise after a meal. This doesn't mean 100 jumping jacks. But you can gather the whole family and walk in the neighborhood park to work off some of those calories. You'll breathe in some fresh air, carry on a good conversation and feel refreshed when you come back to the house.
Sawicki said the best tip is to be sensitive to your hunger. Make yourself aware of what you are eating and you will be able to better control the calories during the holidays.
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