ADVICE FOR EATING
The month of December can be difficult to navigate nutritionally with holiday parties and family gatherings. Here are a few tips to help you finish 2019 strong.
Eat a pre-party snack such as a small salad, vegetables and hummus or dairy products such as 2% cottage cheese or yogurt, which will fill you up before you get to the party. Wear snug-fitting clothing so you will be more aware of feeling full. This will help you stop eating before you are too full.
Next, bring a low-calorie item to the party such as a salad or a crudité plate. This will give you something to fill up on. At the party, position yourself far from the buffet table, where the next bite is not within arm’s reach. This will keep you from mindlessly munching. Think small. Eat off of a small plate, choose the smallest cookie out of the batch, and have a bite of dessert.
Alcohol contributes a lot of calories to your evening. Alternate each alcoholic drink with a sparkling water with lime. Steer clear of creamy, high-fat drinks like eggnog, which can pack 460 calories and 20 grams of fat per cup.
Busy yourself by working the room. You will save calories and you may meet some interesting people. That is what parties are about!
Remember, 3500 extra calories per week (500 calories per day) = 1 extra pound per week. You can see how easy it is to gain the average 5-10 pounds over the holidays.
By Catherine Kruppa, MS, RD, CSSD, LD
