Surviving the Holiday Season

  • Eat a nourishing snack or your healthy mini meal before going to parties.
     
  • Fortify yourself with positive thoughts:
    “I can stay with the program during the holidays.”
    “I will stay away from all foods containing sugar.”
    “I will maintain my focus and goals during this joyous season.”
     
  • Prepare a mental menu before parties: “I’m going to ignore the hors d’ oeuvres, the creamed vegetables, and have fruit for dessert.” “Raw vegetables and a small amount of dip will do.”
     
  • Don’t go hungry all day to save up for one big meal. Fasting causes blood sugar to drop and brings on ravenous hunger. Eat lightly, but do eat.
     
  • Chewing sugarless gum and sipping calorie free beverages while cooking helps prevent nibbling.
     
  • A “dieter’s cocktail,” such as herbal tea, mineral water or water with a spritz of lemon or lime juice, taken 20 minutes before holiday meals, helps to increase your natural appetite suppression.
     
  • “Binge” on skinless turkey, chicken and raw vegetables.
     
  • “Beware of the FEEDER.” Rather than say, “I’m dieting,” invent allergies to foods, stomach flu or digestive problems as reasons for avoiding certain foods.
     
  • Sip white wine and soda with a twist of lemon. This is the lesser of two evils and is less devastating to your program.
     
  • Do you know there are four basic taste sensations? Two, salty and sweet, signal us to eat, and two, unripe and bitter, tell us to stop eating. Avoid salt and sugar. They function primarily as appetite stimulants.
     
  • Reward yourself with noncaloric treats. Getting through the holidays without gaining weight is a big accomplishment. Treat yourself to new clothes, a new hairstyle, movies, a good book or a night out on the town.