The winter holidays can seem like a fat trap for dieters. From Thanksgiving’s “eat all you can” celebration to the cookie exchanges to the mega-mall food court to the “try this” holiday party buffets, it’s one temptation after another. Think weight gain is inevitable? Not if you plan ahead!
Try these tips to eat right this year:
“¢ Eat breakfast. Multiple studies show that skipping breakfast can cause you to overeat later. What to eat? Go for protein, which sustains you longer and helps avoid energy sags. Vitacost serves it up with ARO Lean Diet Shake Mix in Angel Food Cake.
“¢ Headed to a party? Eat a snack before you go that contains both protein and complex carbs. That way, you won’t be starving and feel tempted to over-indulge at the buffet. An ideal snack: Crunch on an apple partnered with an ounce of awesome almonds.
“¢ Shopping requires extra fortitude this time of year. The result: You can be lured into the food court before you know it, gobbling up an 880-calorie Cinnabon and gulping down a 500-calorie Starbucks white hot chocolate. If you’re on a 1,200-calorie diet, you just consumed more than a day’s worth of calories in that snack stop! What to do instead: Take a snack bar with you that’s healthy and tasty, such as a Triple Chocolate Power Crunch Protein Energy Bar with just 210 calories, and enjoy a cup of plain coffee with non-fat milk.
“¢ There’s something about the holidays that calls for homemade cookies. Go for it by baking Cherrybrook Kitchen Gluten Free Dreams ® Sugar Cookie Mix! These 70-calorie cookies taste like old-fashioned butter cookies but are gluten-free, dairy-free and guilt-free goodies.
“¢ Don’t get dehydrated! Many of us think we’re hungry when we’re actually thirsty. Stay ahead of the game by drinking water. Nibble on a handful of dried fruit with your water to stave off those cravings for “something sweet.” Recommended: mango slices.
Joanne Eglash, Vitacost.com’s Diet Diva, has a master of science in holistic nutrition and more than 15 years experience as a nutrition consultant, blogger, author and journalist. She has written for a wide range of publications and websites, including ediets.com, Natural Health magazine, Shape magazine, Success magazine, Energy for Women and Chefs. Joanne is currently the national Diets columnist for the online news and entertainment site, Examiner.com, and a features food columnist for Yahoo.