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parenting tips
Parenting Tips
November / December 2007
Healthy Holiday Eating
By: Lennice Smith
It’s that time again! It’s time for parties with family,
coworkers, and friends to celebrate the holiday season. Every
feast has all the food to make you feel as stuffed as your
Thanksgiving turkey. This year instead of gaining an extra 5
pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day you can maintain
your weight with a few easy tips to make this a great holiday
season …
-
Enjoy this holiday season without
dieting. Be fair to yourself and set a realistic goal to maintain
your current weight.
-
Before you leave home to attend a
holiday event eat a healthy snack or light meal. Avoid fasting
before the event because this could cause you to overeat. Foods
high in protein like chicken or cottage cheese will help you eat
less during the meal.
-
If you are hosting the event do
yourself and your guests a favor by including nonalcoholic
beverages and healthier items to choose from such as vegetables,
salad, and fruit. Also remember to provide low calorie and fat
free salad dressings. This will offer them healthier choices when
tempted by the high calorie foods on the menu.
-
When taking a dish to an event
substitute ingredients to create tasty results without the high
calories that are in rich foods. Some examples include low fat or
skim milk for whole milk products and in some baked items you can
substitute applesauce for oil.
-
Avoid fast food during this busy time.
Prepare and freeze quick healthy meals ahead of time.
-
Maintain your exercise regimen. If you
don’t exercise this is a great time to treat yourself to an early
gift with a gym membership to get a head start on all the New
Years resolution gym members.
-
Make it fun and enlist the
accountability of friends, family, or coworkers to join you in the
battle of the holiday bulge by weighing in weekly together and
tracking your progress.
Food and the holidays are inseparable,
therefore be sure to have a great holiday with all the trimmings
except the regret of added pounds after the parties are over.
Lennice Smith is a Registered Nurse and a graduate of Clayton
College of Natural Health with a Bachelors Degree in Holistic
Nutrition. She is Co owner of Tropical Smoothie Cafe in South
Pasadena and currently assists clients as a Weight Loss Coach. She
can be contacted via email -
Ultimatehealth7@yahoo.com
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