it’s the holidays
Holidays are here and so is delicious apple pie, christmas cookies, Hanukkah gelt, hot chocolate, creamy mashed potatoes, baked honey ham, endless alcohol, christmas cookies, and more christmas cookies. Is your mouth watering yet?
Everyone stresses so much about putting on a little holiday weight. Well I say screw that! The holidays should most certainly be FUN and ENJOYABLE with little to no stress about food.
Eating has become one of the biggest staples of a social gathering. So I say why torture yourself the entire holiday season when you know all those treats are calling your name. If you have some willpower then great for you but I don’t think the rest of us are that strong (including me), not sure I would want to be either - christmas cookies are my life during December!
My tip, I eat EVERYTHING, but as you've heard it before, I eat it all but in MODERATION. I like to put everything I want to try on my plate but in smaller portions. This way I can taste all the goodness and truly enjoy it before I feel like my stomach is going to explode. Then of course I go back for seconds of the foods I really loved.
BUT for all you that are trying to improve your lifestyle I am also here for it and would like to provide you some tips and tricks:
Tip #1: Get a smaller plate at dinner. We tend to eat more with our eyes than our stomaches. If the plate is smaller you'll most likely eat for the size of your stomach rather than your eyes. Of course if you're still hungry or something is so delicious go back for seconds! Take a little of everything you like and SAVOR each bite, some of us only get to enjoy these foods during the holidays!
(or if you just love mashed potatoes and ham then go for it dude load up on just those)
Tip #2: Like stated above really savor each bite. Food has become a social thing so while you are eating SOCIALIZE. No one likes to sit around a table full of silent people shoving their faces. Instead you could have talked and learned all about Uncle Earls new favorite TV show (or maybe not). Truly enjoy each bite, listen to your hunger cues when you are done. And don't fear you can always take some of the things you weren't able to have for leftovers tomorrow.
Tip #3: For those alcohol drinkers. Yes, this is the time to drink but you can also do it smart. The national recommendation (which I think they're just setting us up for failure) is 1-2 drinks for women and 2-3 drinks for men.
Those that are trying to stick to a less sugary options should go for alcohols that are clear like vodka and gin. What makes alcohols like rum darker is the molasses it’s made with which means more sugar.
A good drink would be 1.5oz shot of vodka with a light juice (cranberry or apple) and seltzer to spritz it up a bit. Use some frozen cranberries to make a pretty garnish which also double as ice cubes!
Lastly, my main point of this whole spiel is to encourage no stress or fear of foods every day and especially around the holidays. Again, they only come around once a year and ALL FOODS FIT into a healthy diet ALL THE TIME. So eat up, be merry, and enjoy time with family and friends most of all!!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
