The holidays are here and that means food and drink will likely be everywhere you look. Whether you are cooking for guests, hosting family, providing food for a party or attending a holiday event, you will constantly be faced with making choices about food.
The following tips provided by Colorado State University Extension and other universities can help you enjoy eating this holiday season, yet not abandon your healthy habits or gain weight.
Portion control: Use smaller plates. If you fill up on one small plate, it still has the potential to be much less food than a less-full large plate. Take your time. Instead of rushing through your meal or snack, slow down and listen to your body; it will tell you when it is time to stop if you pay attention to it. Skip seconds. Leftovers are never a bad thing and if you limit yourself to one plate, you can enjoy a dessert without feeling guilty about it later.
Go heavy on the veggies: Fall veggies are some of the most exciting and flavorful of the whole year. Take advantage of this and load up your holiday meal with a variety of seasonal vegetables. Some favorites are sweet potatoes, squash, onions, carrots, peas and pumpkins. All of these vegetables are high in nutrients and they are tasty as well. You can add these to almost any dish for extra flavor and if you do happen to overeat a little, it’s better to fill up on vegetables than on other starchy carbohydrates or desserts.
Eat what you enjoy and enjoy what you eat: Focus on the items you only get to enjoy during these festivities and enjoy the extras some other time. For example, choose a special dip instead of cheese cubes that are available all year, or try the stuffing instead of potatoes that are served weekly.
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