The holidays can be a difficult time to successfully manage our dietary intake and consumption. Here are some holiday “do” tips that may help you navigate through holiday parties.
Do eat before you go to the party. Going to a party hungry will make selecting healthy choices much more difficult.
Do drink water or diet soda at the party. Alcohol is a double whammy. It is 7 calories per gram (protein and carbohydrates are 4 calories per gram and fat is 9 calories per gram), and its disinhibiting properties make it more difficult to be attentive to the food one is consuming.
Do socialize first before heading to the buffet table. Place the emphasis of your party attending on the people rather than on the food served. You may want to show up “fashionably” late so you will be less tempted to overeat. Spend most of your time at the party in the room without the food.
Do identify someone that eats well and makes wise choices and make your plate look like theirs. Identifying a food role model is a great way to learn good eating habits.
Do bring healthy food to the party to share with others. Consider bringing a vegetable or fruit tray to give you a healthy option for nibbling.
Do plan physical activities for your holiday gathering. Start a new family tradition of a walk before and after dinner, family football game, or family bike ride.
Do put all food away right after dinner. Clearing the table and closing the kitchen is a very important skill to prevent “picking” and “grazing.”
Do give party attendees left-overs as they're leaving. Consider having small bags or colorful saran wrap to “gift wrap” their party favors.
About Tidewater Bariatrics
Tidewater Bariatrics specializes in the medical treatment
of overweight and obese individuals.
By introducing a Bariatric physician into the weight-lose
process, individuals gain access to a
doctor's knowledge, prescription medication to help
reach
goals, and the specialization to treat
even the most complicated cases including those with
diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, sleep
apnea or cancer. The clinic's health care team also
provides individuals with the latest education
on healthy living, nutrition, exercise, and wellness
in order to bring about the lifestyle changes
necessary for lifelong success.
Dr. Margaret Gaglione contact
757-644-6819, doctor@twb4u.com
