Tips to Avoid Overeating This Holiday Season

The holiday season is just around the corner, and the time is usually marked by good cheer and calorie laden food.

Before placing yourself in front of an indulgent meal, keep these simple and effective healthy-eating tips in mind.

Don’t deprive yourself of what you love

“Everything in moderation” is an effective rule to follow during the holiday season. If you forbid yourself from eating something you really want, you’ll just crave it more. This will result in binge eating, so just allow yourself small portions of these foods.

Chew slowly and savor your food

Stuffing yourself with food is unhealthy and it will make you feel uncomfortable. Chew your food slowly, and relish each bite so that you really appreciate it. Eating your food slowly helps you know when you’ve had enough.

Limit your alcohol intake

Holiday cheer comes with binge drinking and all the empty calories in alcohol. Try to choose low calorie beverages instead.

If you are drinking more than one alcoholic drink, make sure you drink a full glass of water after each drink. Never drink on an empty stomach. Having a small snack before you drink will help slow down the absorption of alcohol.

Control your portions

Overindulging during the holidays means excess calories and fat from decadent meals. We tend to wolf down large portions of high-fat and high-calorie meals.

If you’re eating at a restaurant, you could share meals, take leftovers home and order appetizers as meals. Make better menu choices by choosing fish, grilled meats, fresh salads, soups without cream and sandwiches without sauces instead of deep-fried and creamy foods.

Give your meals a makeover with food swaps

We overeat during the holiday season because we don’t want to miss out on our favorite foods.

Try preparing your meals by using healthier ingredients that will leave you feeling satiated without the guilt of binge eating. For traditional recipes, try swapping in healthier ingredients to keep up your clean eating resolution.

Plan your meal

Before mindlessly loading food onto your plate, take a moment to see how you can make your meal healthier. Add a whole lot of veggies to your plate, and then add smaller portions of calorie-laden foods.

Reduce your intake of unhealthy fats and choose lean meats and vegetables instead. Help yourself to small servings and go for seconds only if you’re still truly hungry.

Don’t beat yourself up

Slip ups are inevitable, so don’t punish yourself with guilt if you had more than your share of chocolate cake. If you feel too guilty, you could exercise to burn those excess calories.

But remember that the holidays are supposed to be about relaxation and enjoyment. Tomorrow is a new day and you can continue with your resolution to make healthy food choices.

Source: healthmeup.com