Want to learn how to improve your lifestyle in short order? Opt for sensible eating during the holidays. About 70 percent of adults gain between three and ten pounds from October through January. The good news is there are several effective ways to avoid the weight gain, and you don’t have to be anti-social to keep the pounds off. You can still attend parties and get-togethers of all kinds, but you need to know the strategies for side-stepping the curse of holiday overeating.
Limit Your Alcohol Intake
For some folks, this is not the source of added pounds. But if you like your adult beverages, keep an eye out for super-high-calorie potables. Thanksgiving and Christmas parties are notorious for fancy alcohol concoctions that deliver an extra 500 or more calories in every glass. How to avoid the problem? Simply skip the alcohol altogether or limit yourself to a single drink.
Eat Three Balanced Meals Every Day
One of the most effective ways to avoid consuming too much holiday junk food is to stick with a strict 3-meals-per-day regimen. If you remember to have a full breakfast every morning, a complete, nutritious lunch at mid-day, and a sensible dinner, you’ll not need to worry about scarfing down an extra 1,000 calories at the holiday party your boss forces you to attend. The secret is to never go to a holiday function when you are hungry. The ideal plan, if you can pull it off, is to eat a regular meal immediately before attending a social event during the festive season.
Cut Down on Animal Products
It’s possible to enjoy seasonal repasts without eating heavy, animal-based dishes. If you focus on the more nutritious plant-based items, like Miyoko vegan products, you’ll have won the battle before it even begins. And what, exactly, are those great-tasting vegan items showing up more often at social events? They include vegan cheeses, butters and delicious mozzarella as well as other plant-based dairy products that are high in nutrition and low in fat.
Drink Plenty of Water
Another extremely simple way to avoid added poundage during the national eating season is to drink water throughout the day. Try to remember the old standard, which is based on sound science, that you should drink about 64 ounces of water on a typical day. That’s eight 8-ounce glasses, which is neither excessive nor dangerous. Keeping your body well-hydrated will help maintain a normal appetite and assist your willpower when faces with bowls of chocolate Christmas angels and other sugary attractions.
Use the Soup and Salad Strategy
At formal meals, a smart way to avoid eating too much is to eat an extra pre-meal salad and even a second bowl of soup if it’s available. Long ago, when weight reduction diets were coming of age in the 1940s, this approach was called the soup and salad technique. The trick is to fill up on low-calorie items before the heavier main course is served. The plan if highly effective during the time of year when you attend a lot of get-togethers with family, friends and coworkers.
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