It seems like so many American holidays are centered around food and drink. It makes sense: as humans, we need to eat and drink so when we gather in our social groups, even outside the holiday season, we tend to want to involve food and drink as part of our socialization rituals.
And while there’s absolutely nothing inherently wrong with gathering for food and drink, it can be a recipe for overindulging that can result in unwanted weight gain, nausea, indigestion and a host of other annoyances. There’s no need to deprive yourself but here are a few tips to make the most of the social spirit of the season without any of the setbacks.
· Don’t drink alcoholic beverages on an empty stomach. This is a surefire way to end up gorging yourself if you’re not careful. Pace yourself by having a glass of water for every alcoholic beverage you consume and wait until after a meal to start imbibing.
· Don’t show up to a party hungry. Having a snack that’s packed with complex carbohydrates can help you avoid being famished before lunch or dinner is served. An apple with your favorite nut butter or a slice of whole wheat toast with avocado and/or turkey and cheese are both great pre-party snacks.
· Move! Suggest taking a walk before or after a big holiday meal. It’s a great way to spend time with your friends and family while also burning some extra calories so you can have that piece of pie!
· Eat your veggies. Fiber filled veggies help you feel full faster and longer, especially when combined with lean proteins like turkey or fish. Bonus: they’re packed with vitamins and minerals we all need.
· Listen to your body. Does it really want seconds? Or thirds? It takes the brain a little time to catch up and give us that full feeling after a meal, so take a few minutes after eating to assess how you really feel.
Delicious food and drink are a huge part of the holidays, but you don’t have to feel miserable about the choices you make if you stick with these few simple tips. Here are a few more from Harvard Health Publishing and Healthline. If you have diabetes, you might find this information particularly helpful.
Be sure to remember to indulge in the best part of the holidays: spending time with loved ones.
Revan Health provides welcoming, respectful family medicine for all from infants to geriatrics. We understand the pain and frustration that comes with not feeling heard by your family care provider. We believe access to respectful care is key to improving medicine adherence and overall life satisfaction for our patients. Like us on Facebook or visit us at revanhealth.com.
Sources
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/12-tips-for-holiday-eating-201212242506
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/tips-to-avoid-holiday-weight-gain
https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/features/holidays-healthy-eating.html