MONDAY, Dec. 26, 2005 (HealthDay News) -- All that delicious holiday food can spell trouble for your waistline.
So if you overindulge, here's how to avoid a holiday "weight hangover," courtesy of the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center:
- Snack on raw vegetables while cooking.
- Drink a tall glass of water before you eat.
- Try to fill half your plate with vegetables, and go easy on the sauces and dressings.
- Drink cider or non-caloric beverages instead of eggnog.
- Use fat-free sour cream and cream cheese when making dips.
- Use whipped butter or low-calorie tub margarines.
- Instead of butter, use chicken stock when making gravies and stuffing.
- Eat the pie filling but leave the crust.
- Snack on raw vegetables instead of tortilla chips with dips.
- You can eat your favorite foods, but limit portion sizes. A smaller plate will help control portions.
- Eat a light snack to curb your appetite before you go to a party.
- Talk more, eat less and stand away from the buffet table.
Getting enough exercise can also help control holiday weight gain:
- Park far away from the shopping mall, so you have a longer walk.
- When you have time, enjoy winter activities such as taking the children sledding.
- Wear a pedometer to monitor your walking. You should aim for 7,000 or more steps a day.
- Even though the holidays can be a busy time, try to maintain your regular exercise schedule.
- Dance at holiday parties.
- Shovel the sidewalk in front of your neighbor's house.
More information
The American Academy of Family Physicians has more about weight control.
