Merry Christmas!

Labels: Christmas, holiday, Tara Gidus

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Holiday Drinks

We are in full swing of holiday cheer now with just under two weeks until Christmas! I have gone to several parties so far and have a few more before we even get to the family gatherings.

I wrote a few posts recently on avoiding the holiday gain and simple strategies to not gain even one pound during the holidays. One important part of our diet that we need to pay special attention to, especially at holiday time, is beverages. Liquid calories add up quickly and they don't really fill you up as much as solid food does.

Check out the calorie count of some common holiday drinks:
8 oz eggnog: 340 calories
8 oz light eggnog: 190 calories
12 oz (tall) Starbucks Gingerbread Latte: 260 calories
5 fl oz white wine: 120 calories
5 fl oz red wine: 120 calories
12 oz (tall) Starbucks Hot Chocolate: 320 calories
8 oz hot cider: 160 calories
8 oz alcoholic punch: 220 calories
12 oz regular beer: 150 calories

Once you add the calories you are getting from your drinks to the calories you are eating, it is no wonder we gain weight over the holidays! I am not going to be a complete scrooge, though!

Try this instead for fun drinks without all the calories:

• Make a spritzer with your wine. Add calorie free club soda to the wine and you will cut your calories in half! Use equal parts soda and wine. It works great with white wine!
• Use club soda instead of tonic or Sprite in your punch bowl.
• Make your hot chocolate with packets of sugar free hot chocolate and low fat milk
• Choose a sugar free syrup and low fat milk in your favorite coffee drink
• Make sure you get the light eggnog and limit yourself to 6 oz. It is still very thick and rich and sip it slowly to enjoy every swallow!
• Drink light beer instead of regular
• Choose champagne instead of wine. The calories are less and most people drink smaller glasses and less of it.
  
• Limit yourself to one drink with calories. Drink diet soda or sparkling water the rest of the night.
  

Photo courtesy of paper or plastic?

Labels: beverages, holiday, Tara Gidus, weight gain

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Avoid the Holiday Gain

The holiday season is upon us, and that means eggnog, rum balls, and lots of holiday parties! My previous post, 'Tis the Season, gave you some tips on how to avoid gaining weight over the holiday season. But since I am just full of advice, I thought I would share some more tips today:

• If you don't love it, leave it! This is a rule that lasts all year long, but especially at holiday time. If you try something at a party and it is not "worth it", then leave it behind! Food is meant to be enjoyed and there is an abundance of good food at parties and your family's house at this time of year. Make every calorie worth it!
• A few bites can satisfy. Instead of thinking that you "can't have" something this holiday season, just remember that you can have it, just control how much. I watched a girl at a party last night take half of a slice of cake and leave the other half for someone else who also may not want the whole piece. Take small portions of lots of different things so you don't feel deprived and can satisfy those cravings.
• Watch the booze. Alcohol has a lot of calories, but it also reduces our ability to make good choices. You tend to eat more when you drink alcohol at an event. Limit yourself to one drink.
• Concentrate on conversations. Instead of hanging out right next to the food table or waiting impatiently for the next course to be served, strike up a conversation with your family and friends (or strangers) at the get together. It may sound silly, but read the newspaper or scan the internet for some latest news and bring it up as a conversation starter.
• Sit down and eat. We tend to nibble while we cook and think those calories don't count (eating amnesia). Chew gum or suck on strong mints while you are cooking so you are not tempted to sample too much. When it is time to eat, get a plate and fork and put food on it and sit down with it and enjoy!
• Don't starve yourself. Often I hear people say they skipped lunch so they could pig out at the holiday party. Eat lighter at lunch, but don't skip it. You will just open the flood gates at the party and eat way too much, feeling guilty and maybe even sick afterwards! Concentrate on fiber and protein, the two things that will provide the most satiety, or fullness for a longer period of time.

Happy Holidays!

Christmas cookie photo courtesy of EverySpoon

Labels: holiday, Tara Gidus, weight gain

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'Tis the Season

How much weight do you gain during the holidays? You may think that you gain 5 or more pounds, but the average American actually only gains one pound. Before you pat yourself on the back, listen to this: Even though we only gain one pound, we don't tend to lose that pound once January rolls around (or even for the rest of the year). So the one pound that you gain turns into 10 pounds over the span of 10 years. And that is just holiday weight, not other weight you may gain from vacations or other times of the year.

Here are some tips to avoid gaining that ONE pound:
Increase your burn. If you are going to eat more, you need to move more. I know time is tight, but stress is high. Use exercise as a way to relieve stress. Even if you just get a 10 minute interval of time to exercise, it is better than none!
Master the buffet. Holiday parties are often set up buffet-style. Do not stand next to the buffet because you will just be tempted to eat more. Survey the buffet before you get your plate so you can decide which foods to put on your plate.
Weigh yourself regularly. Weigh yourself at least weekly so you can assess if you are gaining weight or not.
Get plenty of sleep. I know it is hard to think about getting everything done on your list, but you will be less productive and spin in circles if you are not properly rested.

This was just a few tips to get you started. Check back tomorrow for some more "prevent the holiday gain" advice.

Photo courtesy of Justin Russell

Labels: holiday, Tara Gidus, weight gain

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