From our partners at Woman's Day
Turkey and cookies and pie, oh my! Seasonal treats start coming around Halloween and don't let up until the new year.
But you can make it through these months without packing on the pounds—and still enjoy those holiday parties!
Here, find a few simple tip to help keep the weight off this season.
- Be Realistic
"Don't worry about losing weight during the holidays," says Dan Smith, one of the authors behind Talk With Your Mouth Full: The Hearty Boys Cookbook. "You don't need any added pressure. Focus on maintaining your weight."
- Have a Plan
Be sure to schedule in time for meals and have healthy foods around. "It not only makes things easier, but you'll be able to choose things that are still flavorful and will satisfy you," says Dan.
- Take Two
"You get the most flavor impact within the first two bites," says Steve McDonagh, the other half of The Hearty Boys. "Take a bite and pass it on. It's about portion control—it doesn't have to be about abstaining."
- Eat
Avoid going to parties on an empty stomach. "You'll find yourself starving and beeline to the food," says Ris Lacoste, corporate chef at Rock Creek, a restaurant in Washington, DC, that's dedicated to providing diners with lower-calorie, lowfat, low-cholesterol gourmet cuisine. If you want to sample the party fare, a full meal before you go is unnecessary. Instead, snack on some fruit or veggies. And don't skip breakfast—it kick-starts your metabolism for the whole day.
- Stock the Pantry
Keep fruit and other healthy snacks like yogurt with sliced almonds, air-popped popcorn and olives—things that you like. "Eating a bag of grapes is better than a bag of chips," says Ris.
- Don't Be a Dip
"Dip and cheese are the staples for so many events," says Steve. "Eat the dip with fruit or celery, not crackers. And try the cheese without a cracker. Of course, be careful with dips. You're thinking, 'Look at me, I'm eating carrots,' but you've got full-fat blue cheese. Look for healthier hummus and salsas."
- Try Yogurt
Skip the mayo-based dips. "I use nonfat yogurt, Dijon mustard and a little salt, pepper and Tabasco as a dip or instead of mayo for my chicken or egg salad," says Ris. You can also use yogurt to thicken sauces or instead of creams in soups. "Whole-fat yogurt still has far fewer calories than cream."
- Bake It
"We do a lot of deep frying during the holidays, but you can bake a lot of the same dishes," says Dan, who bakes his shrimp and scallop cakes to lighten them up.
- Veg Out
"Use vegetable purées as thickeners," says Lacoste, who says puréed sunchokes make a great sauce thickener. "It gives you the rich feeling without the fat. Using vegetable stocks or purees is a lot lighter than meat stocks and cream thickeners."
- Cut the Fat
"People use a lot more butter and spray to coat pans than is really needed," says Steve. Instead, coat the pan with one pass with a frozen stick of butter. It won't melt as fast, keeping you from using too much butter. If you're using a spray, five seconds is all you need.
- Swap Smart
Use good-for-you oils like sunflower and olive oil. With your baked goods, use applesauce instead of oil. "It keeps things moist and doesn't affect the flavor," says Dan.
- Stay Sweet
"If you're making pastry, it's hard to not use butter or whole fats," says Ris, who recommends lightening up desserts with Whey Low, a natural sugar substitute with 75 percent less calories than sugar. "You can do all of your baking with it. You substitute it one for one with sugar."
- Sip Diet Sodas
When making cocktails, use diet sodas or tonic water. With so many flavored vodkas and other liquors you don't have to sacrifice taste. "Of course, remember drinking carbonated beverages speeds up your alcohol intake," says Ris. "You have to be judicious in your pours."
- Hydrate
Alternate a glass of wine or a cocktail with a glass of water. It will keep you hydrated and slow down your alcohol consumption.
- Strategize
Know yourself before you walk into a party. If you're susceptible to something like desserts, skip the alcohol. If you love a glass of wine, avoid dessert. Cutting one thing helps with moderation.
Related links:
Joy Bauer's Guide to Avoiding Holiday Weight Gain
Holiday Party Survival Guide
Quick Fixes for Common Holiday Stressors
What's your best tip to ward off holiday weight loss?
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