HOLIDAY HEALTHY EATING

- Laurie Beebe

Laurie Beebe, The Diet Coach, is a registered dietitian certified in adult weight management. Visit Laurie's website, "Shaping Your Future"  for information on weight loss coaching. Visit her blog at Life Diet Balance for more great diet tips that can lead you to a healthier diet and permanent weight loss!

You may be relieved to hear the average weight gain over the holiday season is really just an average of two pounds. But if those are two extra pounds you really don't want to carry around, set yourself up for smart eating over the next 8 weeks by following some of these tips:

1. Picking up extra calories from snacks and desserts by telling yourself "I can have a treat because it's the holidays" is starting your way down a slippery slope. If you want to treat yourself to something this season, make a list now of ways you can do that which do not include food: Get a manicure, pedicure, or massage; stay up late catching up with old friends; buy yourself a little gift while you're out Christmas shopping for others, or take a nice long walk in the snow when it's still sparkly and white.

2. Plan ahead before attending parties. Having a handful of nuts has been found to send a chemical signal to your brain saying you've already eaten and you are no longer hungry. Grab an ounce just before heading out the door, and head off those cravings so you can eat smart at the party.

3. Visualize how you will make better choices before going to a dinner or cocktail party. Picture yourself reaching for the sparkling water instead of champagne or selecting the carrots or pineapple wedges instead of the pigs-in-a-blanket.

4. Find someone to share a piece with if you really want some pie. Take just a few sips if you're dying for some egg nog. Choosing a much smaller serving can save you a few hundred calories and you will thank yourself for that decision the next morning!

5. Starting with Halloween candy, bring the leftovers to work. Let others who are not watching their weight enjoy the candy and don't leave it around the house to tempt yourself. Ditto with leftover pie from Thanksgiving, and dozens of cookies you may find lingering around at Christmas time.
Plan ahead for smart eating this holiday season to start off the new year at your best!