If there is one thing that is certain when it comes to the holidays, it is that food is overly plentiful, giving you more than enough chances to overindulge. While it may seem like a good idea to do so at the time, the end result is stomachaches, lack of energy, and a growing waistline—none of which is going to bring you holiday cheer.
So, if you want to avoid these negative side effects of eating too much food this holiday season, just follow these simple guidelines:
- Don’t go to a party hungry. Instead, eat something light before you even leave home so you aren’t famished when you arrive, leading you to take in more food than you should. Some great appetite-satisfying pre-party options are nuts with fruit or a cup of Greek yoghurt.
- Eat every 3 to 4 hours. Keeping your blood sugar stable is critical if you want to limit the number of cravings you have for holiday foods that you tend to eat without abandon. Simply eat every few hours, thereby reducing your urge to consume food beyond your stomach’s limits.
- Think about your food bites. It is extremely easy to place a huge helping of your favorite food on your plate, but the reality is that the first few bites of food taste the best. Keep this in mind when selecting your serving sizes because much more than that is likely overkill.
- Cut yourself some slack. If you’re on a diet over the holidays, you’re going to find temptation in foods that ordinarily wouldn’t entice you, causing you to overeat when you normally wouldn’t. Therefore, you’re better off cutting yourself some slack and letting yourself enjoy a few of your favorite holiday treats, saving you lots of calories in the long run.
These are just a few things you can do to keep from overindulging over the holidays. What tricks do you use?