The holidays are here, and so are the tempting food that could be detrimental to
your health. With overflowing food on the table on Christmas Day, and loads of leftovers to finish of the day after, it is no wonder that people find themselves gaining a pound or two over the holidays. Add to that the countless alcohol and hors d' oeuvres consumed in parties between Christmas and New Year, and the measly pounds add up to an eyebrow raising amount. That would have been fine if the only effect would be weight gain, but there's also all that heart-clogging cholesterol to think of, diabetes-inducing sugars, and other unhealthy things you'll be stuffing inside your body.
To help you have a more healthy holiday so that you can enjoy a longer fun-filled life, here are some tips you can follow:
- Commit to a healthy holiday – It all starts with a decision. If you decide early on that you'll go all out to enjoy the holidays and binge, then there's no way you'll resist all the temptation. Commit to a healthier lifestyle this holiday, so that as the temptations come, you'll have more resolve to overcome them.
- Eat before going to a party – You cannot control the kind of food served in parties you attend, so make it easier to resist the urge to pig out on unhealthy party food by eating before you leave the house. This way you'll be full when you get to the party and will feel more like mingling with people than hovering over the table.
- Stay away from the table – Find a comfy spot in the farthest corner from the food and drinks station. The more inconvenient it is for you to get food, the less likely you'll come back
for seconds.
- Wash everything down with water – The free-flowing drinks may be tempting, but decide to wash down your food with water. Before you know it, you'll feel too full to eat and drink too much.
- Serve healthy alternatives – If you're hosting your own party, or will be cooking the Christmas dinner, make sure that you serve lots of healthy alternatives. You can do this by substituting healthy ingredients whenever you can, and using cooking healthier cooking techniques (i.e. roasting instead of deep frying).
Image via Burn the Fat Challenge