Holiday Season

The Holiday Season is upon us!

Just when you got over Thanksgiving, here is the winter holidays right behind it.  I love food and I am new to this calorie counter thing.

How do one stays "in-line" without forgoing the foods that they love?

Baked Macaroni and Cheese, Candied Sweets, pies...oh my!

Any suggestions!

My suggestion is to save the very calorific traditional foods as an occasional 'treat' (once a week?) and to eat lightly & healthily the rest of the time.   That way you're joining in without going overboard.  Festive foods were always meant to be a rare indulgence to brighten the winter months, not a dietary staple.  Keep that top of mind and you're fine.

Move overseas.

Preferably to a country where you flat out can't get most of the required ingredients for such foods.

Then convince a friend to ship you a box of Stovetop Stuffing and savor every bite of it . . .

^lol good idea

I agree with jane...make your holiday favorite an occasional treat.  You can always workout an extra 15-20 minutes that day or the day after too.  Even walks after dinner make me feel refreshed and feel better if I decided to have an extra scoop of ice cream. 

Around the holidays (thanksgiving/christmas) when I'm visiting my family, I try and focus on "family time" and not so much the food.  If you eat slower by having a good time, socializing, and such you won't eat as much since it gives your digestive system a chance to catch up on you.  And don't worry about "offending people" by saying your full and can't eat every single dish/dessert that was prepared.  Just be polite about it and have a good time.

Hi Eleith:

I eat whatever I want.  Yes, that right.  I just figure it into my daily allowance of 1500 calories a day.  That way I don't binge because I had to avoid foods.  I used to binge all the time at special occasions.  Now I know I can have anything I want so I don't do that anymore.

At potluck or holiday dinners.  I follow the 1/4 cup, 4oz rule, 4 item rule.  I have 4 oz of meat, a big salad with light dressing, and select two other sides from the table (1/4 cup each).  When you are done you should have 4 items on your plate with 4 oz. of meat and a big salad with light dressing, which is always enough to fill me up.  Using this rule, I usually have about 500 calories.  If you save more calories by not eating dinner or breakfast, you could increase your portion sizes.  I have also used the 1/8 cup rule too.  There were so many things on the table that looked good and I wanted a little of each.  So I got four items with my meat and salad.  It works out to the same calorie count and you can try a little of everything.  The big thing is to become acutely aware of how many calories are in foods.  I have my favorites memorized, so I can usually build a plate of food that I like at most functions including family style restuarants.

Betty Jo 

Portion control! I have a smaller amount of your favourites and savour every bite.

eat what you want but just in smaller amounts!