Beginning with Halloween in October through Super Bowl Sunday in January, there seems to be one eating event after another. Recent studies report that the average weight gain during this period ranges from 7 to 10 pounds.
So in addition to the stress that one typically incurs at the onset of the holiday season, due to mounting demands on personal time, finances and end-of-the-year business obligations, most will take on the added concern of weight gain. And many will participate in traditional baking activities, overindulgence of sweets, foods & alcohol, and holiday parties.
I remember back when I was a girl and young woman, how I would dread the coming of Thanksgiving each year! Having experienced many challenges in controlling my weight, I would anticipate the impending doom of losing all self-control and willpower as soon as the eggnog, pies, cookies, cakes, snack foods and other celebratory treats rolled out. As a result, I became a victim each year to all of the sugars, fats and starches that were within my grasp. I LOVED food and could not stop indulging!
Come January, I’d get back on the teeter totter of weight highs and lows and plug along, going up and down until the start of the next year’s holiday activities. Ugh!
Praise God, those days are long gone!
Over the past several decades, I’m happy to say that I’ve learned first-hand that the annual “tradition” of holiday weight gain can be broken. How so, you say? Just strengthen your will power and drink a lot of water?? Chomp on carrot and/or celery sticks all night while watching others indulge and then make an early departure when you can’t take it anymore?? Absolutely not!
Here are 4 REAL ideas to help combat unhealthy dietary/cooking habits and weight gain over the holiday season:
1 – Stop anticipating failure and stop giving in to the idea that your food choices are limited or non-existent.
In other words, don’t treat this time of year as an excuse for overindulgence. It’s helpful if you maintain a healthful, natural foods lifestyle throughout the year and choose not to treat this time period as exceptional when it comes to your cooking and/or eating habits. In most cases it’s not the actual food; it’s the form in which we consume it, that requires modification to maintain optimal health, energy and weight. Begin looking into natural and nutrient-rich substitutes for those “health robbers” – sugar, simple carbohydrates and trans-fats. You’ll find your cookies and baked goods to be tastier – even filling!
2 – Incorporate new food “traditions” into your family’s lifestyle.
Several years ago I decided to bake my own Christmas cookies using grain-free flours and natural sugars/food colorings. In addition I began purchasing raw nuts and roasting them with natural sugar substitutes and condiments and organic seasonings. The nuts & cookies became very popular at holiday time with family and friends and took minimum time to prepare. I find I can most often whip up a batch of healthful and aromatic roasted nuts in 15 minutes and a few dozen cookies within 30 minutes. This makes it easy to anticipate the amount that I need and I’m not in a position of trying to get rid of nuts and baking ingredients after the holiday is done. These treats also make great gifts!
3 – Decide in advance of the upcoming season. how you are going to prepare and consume celebratory foods.
One way to cut down on unwanted sugars and fats while allowing yourself to enjoy festive foods and beverages may be to maintain a low-carbohydrate lifestyle over the holiday period. This would ensure that your sugar, starch and processed food consumption be minimized without depriving yourself of tasty cheeses, dips, veggies, nuts, meats, healthful oils and condiments.
When taking a dish and/or appetizer to pass, be sure to prepare one, two, or three dishes that you absolutely love and that incorporate the ingredients that you are allowing yourself to enjoy. Likewise, bring your own snacks to the office – you will have control over their ingredients. Cut down on alcohol calories by drinking moderately and having a glass of water in between beverages. Replace soda and hard alcohol with red wine and/or sparkling water, unsweetened cranberry juice or purified water with a lemon or lime twist. Don’t forget about the delicious herbal teas and special coffees that are widely available.
4 – Eat something before you leave the house or office.
Don’t attend any holiday event on an empty stomach. Be sure that you are continuing to eat at regular intervals throughout the day to keep your blood sugar in check and to avoid “ravenous” consumption of any foods. Drink plenty of water throughout the day (8 – 10 glasses) to ensure that you do not become dehydrated as dehydration can disguise itself as hunger pangs. Also be sure to take in a good amount of Omega 3 fats in the form of fish oil. This will provide water soluble fiber to your body and aid the gastrointestinal process which is important when the body experiences additional stress and anxiety.
By taking ownership of your food “lifestyle” with natural and high anti-oxidant meals, snacks and desserts, you will not only eliminate the stress of anticipated weight gain but will find improvements in your appearance, attitude and energy level – perfect immunity as you face the cold, the crowds and the customer.
SUMMARY
Tasty Tips For Celebrating the Holidays:
- Don’t use the time of year as an excuse to overindulge
- Drink plenty of water
- Try a low-carbohydrate lifestyle, beginning with Thanksgiving
- Eliminate sugars, trans-fats and simple carbohydrates from your holiday food preparation and consumption
- Learn about natural sugar substitutes that are low glycemic, delicious and do not contain artificial ingredients or chemicals
- When baking use grain-free flours
- Try roasting nuts in place of traditional cookies and cakes
- Replace high calorie and/or artificial alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages with natural, high anti-oxidant drinks
- Implement new cooking “traditions” using low-carb options
- Don’t attend dinners, parties or events on an empty stomach
- Take in Omega 3 soluble fats daily
Ideas for Delicious, Fast & Easy Holiday Sweets & Snacks:
- Roast raw almonds with Tamari sauce
- Mix raw nuts, and Stevia-sweetened dark chocolate chips for homemade “trail mix”
- Make non-baked “peanut butter chocolate bars” using organic flax meal, almond flour, natural peanut butter, Stevia-sweetened chocolate chips and Honey Flavored Allulose (natural liquid sweetener). Stir together, pat down in pan, cut into bars and freeze.
- Put out or bring dark chocolate (70 % cocoa) to events
- Try “Jicama” (sweet vegetable) slices with your dips
- Bring 2 -3 dishes to pass, that you are allowing yourself to enjoy
- Use full-fat organic coconut milk to make egg nog
Happy Holidays!!!
