Who doesn’t love the holidays? All of sudden, there are family gatherings, decorations, presents, and, of course, great food!
Naturally, a lot of these foods are not even remotely healthy, and that leads many of us to pack the pounds on during the holiday season. In fact, most people in the U.S. gain at least one pound during the period from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, according to the Nutrition Reviews journal (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11206847/), and this went up to five pounds for people who were already overweight. While one pound doesn’t sound like much, if you don’t take it back off, it adds up over time.
You can, my friends, steer clear of this annual weight gain and even lose weight during those times. All you need to do is try a few simple ways to keep those holiday pounds off!
Eat when you are hungry
Eating nothing leading up to a big holiday meal may seem smart. After all, you know you are going to overeat, so you think maybe you can counteract those effects by not eating beforehand. This is the wrong move. Chances are that when you got to the meal, you will eat everything in sight. Had you eaten beforehand, you would not have been starving and more inclined to overeat once you got there.
Consume fat first
Eating some fat will help you feel full and stimulate your metabolism. So when you snack on those fatty foods first before eating starch-filled sides and desserts, it may help you keep your cravings and food consumption more in check. Good fats include nuts, butter, olive oil and olives.
Talk a walk
You’ll receive many benefits from a brisk walk after a big holiday meal. It will, for starters, get you away from the tempting food, making it less likely you’ll have seconds you don’t need or overload on the desserts. A walk will also support your metabolism and digestion, with the physical activity helping to lower your insulin and blood sugar levels.
The holidays are a time for family, friends, and yes, food! You can still enjoy those delicious dishes and treats, but when you do so responsibly, you’ll feel better physically and mentally. Eat when you need to, try those fats first and get moving after you’ve eaten a carb-laden meal to help keep those holiday pounds from creeping up on you!
