Healthful Hints to Help Navigate the Holidays

My mom sent this to me and I thought I'd share the Mama Nerl lovin'. Thanks Mom!

Surviving and Enjoying the Holiday Buffet without Gaining Weight

Yes it is possible to enjoy the holiday - to have your cake and eat it too. It is important to keep in mind to use a small plate and eat slowly, while eating only the foods that you want to eat. As well, Brian Wansink, Author of Mindless Eating, suggests that you keep in mind the "Rule of Two." This rule says you can have anything you want at the buffet, but you are not allowed to have more than 2 items on your plate at one time. He claims that his works so well because:

• You tend to take the two types of food you want most. People who love desserts don't work their way up to desserts. They'll start with the desserts and then stop.
• You tend to not overfill your plate. Putting only two things on our plate helps keep our serving sizes somewhat small because we psychologically don't want to overload on a particular item.
• You tend not to go back more than two times. In one study they did on the "Rule of Two," 83 percent of people only made one or two additional returns to the buffet.

The Top 10 Tips for Eating Healthy During the Holiday Season

Focus on weight maintenance not weight loss during this time. Maintaining your current weight during the holidays is a big enough challenge so don't stress yourself by trying to lose weight instead.

Do not plan on dieting after the New Year because then you wind up eating everything in sight and not setting restrictions. Wait until after the New Year to plan a diet plan for you, without setting restrictions and depriving yourself of certain items you like.

it is important to keep in mind to be physically active everyday to relieve stress, regulate appetite, as well as burning extra calories during the holiday season.

Remember to eat a light snack before going to a holiday party. It is important not to starve yourself because then you will only wind up eating more at the party.

Make a plan to think about where you will be and who you will be with as well as the food available for you. Once you have planned for the social event, it will be much easier to deal with a difficult social eating situation if you encounter one.

And as mentioned above, take steps to avoid recreational eating by consciously making a plate of food that you really want and eat slowly.

Keep in mind to trim back the trimmings when it comes to food. To cut calories, be sure to go light on the nuts, cheese, gravy and butter. It is important to remember that you want to leave the party leaving satisfied, not stuffed.

When it comes to choosing a drink, choose wisely. Some alcoholic beverages can have between 150-450 calories per glass. Choose to have 1 to 2 light alcoholic beverages and then make water or sparkling water with a lemon. Watch out for the eggnog that can have almost 350 calories for 1 cup!

Always keep in mind to have fun and enjoy family and friends. Share laughter and cheer, reminiscing about the years passed. Relax and enjoy the holiday season.

Lastly, maintain perspective. If you happen to overeat one day, don't feel guilty. Just go back to your normal eating habits the next day.