Avoid the Guilt this Holiday Season

December 13, 2011

The holiday season is here. Thanksgiving is behind us and Christmas and New Years are coming soon. These holidays are big events and almost always include food – and lots of it. For many, temptation is stronger than their self-control. Being surrounded by mouth-watering appetizers, entrees and sweet treats can be too much for the strongest person. Maybe the following ideas will provide the strength to truly enjoy the holidays without the guilt.

As a host:

• offer healthier options including: fresh fruit and vegetable trays as appetizers, cooked vegetables without added fats and sauces, entrees prepared with lean proteins including beans or 94% lean ground meats

• limit the variety of desserts available

• use healthy ingredient substitutions or recipes written with lower calories in mind

• provide smaller plates to limit the amount of food chosen at one time

• offer calorie free or low-calorie drinks

• put food away after the meal; to avoid food spoilage and return visits for more food

As a guest:

• offer to bring a healthy dish to parties and potlucks

• eat a small, healthy snack at home before parties that are famous for nothing but high calorie options

• start with small portions of the foods available; this will allow tasting without excess

• sit away from where the food is served to avoid “grazing” or frequent nibbling

• eat slowly and truly enjoy the food - be aware of what you drink; calories in drinks count just like calories in food

• join in games and conversations with other guests to avoid keeping food as the focus of the party

• stop eating and drinking before becoming miserably full; it is okay to say, “no thank you”

With a little planning, every get together can be a time of laughter, fun and fellowship. Here’s to a guilt-free Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Contact Info: Todd Kirkpatrick, MS, RD, LD tkirkpatrick@lickingcohealth.org (740) 349-6535

Back to News Home Page>>