Rumor has it many Americans gain up to 5 pounds in the time from Thanksgiving to Christmas!
I’m not one to listen to rumors – but I also do not want to prove this one true! So today I’m going over some of my favorite ways to avoid over-eating when there is so much good food around!
Celestial Seasonings hooked me up with a ton of tea after my visit to their plant in Boulder. As it’s slowly getting cold cooler here in SoCal I’m craving more comfort foods.
And I just seem to snack more in the Fall / Winter – not sure if it’s the food is better or I’m just inside more! Anyone else feel me on this?
Night time snacking has always been my nemesis so I try to fill up ma belly with warm tea. But there is so much more temptation around the holidays…
Tips to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain
1. Don’t show up to a party hungry. Make sure to have a snack before you arrive so you’re not starving and attack the buffet.
2. Make yourself a plate – don’t just stand at the food table snacking away the night. Grab a plate and place the things you MUST HAVE on that plate, then walk away from the food. Really enjoy what you served yourself.
3. Be picky. Choose items that you can’t have every day. Skip store bought cookies you have at home or food you eat often. This is the time to enjoy your grandma’s special stuffing and new delicious foods!
4. Focus on fun. Catch up with your friends and family first. Make people, not food the priority.
5. Offer to bring a healthy dish. It’s always nice to offer to bring something to a party – if you bring a lower calorie dish you’ll be guaranteed something you want to eat.
6. Watch your liquid calories. Alcohol, eggnog, punch… drinks add a lot of calories! I’m all for an adult beverage or two three, but keep it in mind just like you’re minding your food calories.
I sip tea when people come over with treats so I snack less. <- Note: It’s not about NOT enjoying holiday treats, but enjoying them in moderation. That’s super important for me since I can overdo it super fast.
I love the holiday flavors and add milk, pumpkin pie spice and sweetener so it tastes like a treat.
And now I’m going back to my mug… see you guys later!
Question: What is your biggest challenge for eating healthy during the holidays?
Disclaimer: This post is part of my partnership with Celestial Seasonings. All opinions are my own. I am totally sipping tea while writing this post and it’s nice…
Thanks for chiming in! Love extra tips and tricks.
These are good tips, But I’m sure that this will be so hard to do because the holiday season is coming. We need to remember this tips tough.
I tend to over eat on sweets that are around the house and I also tend to be really busy during the holiday season so that means eating out more, which tends to be a little unhealthier than usual for me.
these are some really great tips! I like the idea of not going to the party hungry…also it is super important to continue working out which is probably challenging during holidays. with the temps dropping down, i am already finding excuses, perhaps some home videos or something might help.
1. Honey Crisp are the only apples that I thoroughly, totally enjoy.
2. I love Celestial Seasoning Teas, but have never seen these festive, holiday flavors. WOW! Cranberry Vanilla?! Gimme!
3. I LOVE that kitten! I also covet Vegas, if you really want to know! 🙂
People offering me things and I don’t want to offend them or bring up the whole dieting topic and inadvertently make some one feel bad or self conscious, the holidays are a rough time for me.
I totally agree with the eat different things idea! Totally not worth it to eat store bought cookies that you can have any time… eat the delicious homemade stuff! 🙂
Number three is a great tip. When I first started trying to live a little healthier a couple of years ago, the rule was…if I could go to the shops and buy it anytime, then I didn’t need to eat it at the office party/in the staffroom/etc.
my biggest challenge is holiday popcorn tins…..genius idea
My biggest challenge is the alcohol! On holidays I want to start with mimosas or baileys in my coffee and then it just goes on from there. It’s so cozy to start your day with a spiked coffee…lol
I did 7 miles.
I’m challenging myself not to eat any sweets until January WITH the exception of Christmas Day and the 2 days we are in Disney in December. There is NO way I’m going to Disney and not making my mouth the happiest place on earth.
I am a sucker for those stupid cookie plates at the grocery store bakery. They’re like $12 for subpar cookies, but my mom used to get them when I was little and so they’re just “part” of Christmas for me. I always end up buying one and pigging out on cookies!
Filling up my plate with better choices of food!! Not easy! But I I know I am able to do it!
I definitely think its important not to show up too hungry and to pick your indulgences.. ! you shouldnt eat everything just because you think you should!
i struggle so much more with snacking when the time changes and when the weather gets cooler. i’ve decided it’s my body trying to fatten me up for the winter 😉
I totally agree 🙂
My holiday vices are sweets like Gingerbread cookies, and those ever so delicious, sugar/chemical laced lattes that are now out!
Great tips, thanks for sharing!
I like the idea about filling up your plate with just the must haves–Then fill it in with veggies!
I try and exercise as much as possible to off set the indulgences!
Taking time to chew my food, savouring each bite. 🙂
I use the tea trick too and it works wonderssss. I have a major sweet tooth and my will power is almost non-existent during the holidays.
staying away from all the sweets!
Portion control is my major problem – if 1 cookie is good, then 5 must be better! 🙂
I’m already making my food plans for the holidays so I don’t start off the year trying to lose any weight I’ve gained through the holidays. I have to remember that normal portions are just fine, and the food will be there when I get back!
I wish I liked tea, the only one I like is a Black Cherry herbal when I am too sick to breathe.
I always binge during the holidays! this is super helpful. muchas gracias! <3
My biggest challenge is all the extra social events where you eat out. Having more larger than normal meals adds up quickly, so I try to always choose salad based meals with dressing on the side. Then I really focus on choosing what I really want to eat and enjoy, rather than eating treats just because they are there. I’m not always successful, but I try!
I always exercise, I drink a lot of water, I sleep a lot, and I’m good with the regular food. But the desserts —- OHHH they always get me. I can’t say no to them though!
Once I quit focusing on over-eating during holidays and just enjoying life, in addition to being active, I found I naturally lost the urge to over do it.
My biggest challenge is probably showing up hungry. The hubs and I always travel to our hometown for the holidays so we are always running around and I usually forget to eat lunch or skip that meal “knowing” I am going to a party later that evening. Also, because we are traveling for the holidays we have a six hour drive, We usually drive at night so it gets really boring, and I snack, snack, eat fast food and snack some more. This year I am going to really try and not do any of the above 😉
I tend to splurge during the holidays because heck, it’s the holidays! I usually eat very healthily and in moderation any time else during the year, so I cut myself some slack. I just make sure that I stay active!
I like to make sure I bring my own food to the party and share it with others so I can have something appropriate for myself to eat just in case there isn’t anything appropriate at the party. 🙂
at my old job clients would drop of baskets of baked goods on the daily during the holidays. it was so hard to resist! I try to be selective about my indulgences over the holidays- if I am going to gain holiday weight I want it to be from truly delicious items.
I have a couple of rules during the holidays. I only allow myself to indulge on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day (or eve) which means I don’t save any leftovers for myself but I have one day of gluttony. I also won’t eat it if it isn’t homemade. So no store bought treats of any type.
I try and stay away from the food table. It is too tempting when everything is within arm’s reach. The distance helps keep the various cookies and brownies out of my thoughts and allows me to focus on friends instead.
My biggest challenge is all the time I spend traveling. My parents live a 6 hour drive away, and my SO’s mom is a few hours from there. Plus my four siblings, who are spread out all over, and all the friends I try to see. I’m really bad about packing healthy snacks for the car or plane, so I end up eating crap on my way to the parties as well as when I’m there. Ugh. Maybe this year I’ll finally get smart about it.
Portion control. It’s like a free for all.
I like the idea of only putting must haves that you don’t normally eat on the plate.
I can’t tell you how many sub par store bought cookies I have had that I wish I saved my calories for something better.