If you are like us and need help to not eat all the bad - but yummy - things this Christmas, here are a few tips you might like to try:
1. Eat more of the healthy foods (this will leave less room for desserts). Some common healthy holiday foods are turkey, roast pork and chicken, sweet potatoes and veggies.
2. Snack on veggies, a handful of nuts or cold leftover turkey to avoid bingeing at a party.
3. Keep alcoholic drinks to a minimum, but if you're going to drink, choose a glass of red wine over eggnog.
4. Eat breakfast and lunch before the big dinner. Otherwise you'll be starving and likely to eat more.
5. When you're at parties, stand away from the food tables (so you don't casually consume hundreds of extra calories).
6. Keep up with your exercise routine, or sneak in activity when ever you can. This might be a long walk after dinner or an extra lap around the shopping mall.
7. Change your mindset. If you expect to eat a lot during the holidays, you will! If you regard a holiday meal like any other, you're more likely to keep your eating under control.
8. Holiday meals are an excellent time to catch up with your friends and loved ones......and the more you talk, the less you'll eat!
9. Serve yourself. This way, you can take smaller portions and skip things you're not in love with altogether.
10. Indulge wisely. If you're going to eat something "bad", make it something you really love and something you can only get at this time of year (i.e not mashed potatoes, bread and butter or cookies).
11. Don't eat to please others. Even in your Grandma made her famous Pavalova, don't feel obligated to take a piece unless you really want to.
12. Make it a point to engage others in conversation. You'll be distracted from the food and will have a better time.
13. Eat slowly and wait at least 20 mins before going back for seconds. Beat the "I can only get this today" mentality by asking the host for the recipes of dishes you love. This way, you can prepare them yourself anytime.
14. Deal with your emotions. If you're overeating because you're lonely, sad or anxious, treat yourself to a movie, a relaxing bath or a walk to see the local Christmas lights. Anything that doesn't involve food.
