Within the blink of an eye, the holiday season has snuck up on us once again. For now, plans are beginning to be made regarding Thanksgiving dinner. People are starting to call regarding holiday parties and events. Along with all the festive planning, we need to remember to enjoy ourselves while maintaining our wonderful health and habits.

 

Manuel Villacorta,registered dietitian and medical nutritionist therapist/board certified sports dietitian and co-founder of Nutrition for You (www.nu4you.net), provides these tips on keeping the weight off year round, even during the holidays. He has about 13 years of experience as a professional, passionate weight-loss specialist dedicated to improving quality of life for his clients.  He breaks down complex health messages into witty, entertaining, inspirational and life-changing advice that busy people can easily incorporate into their lives.   
  
He has given numerous public presentations on adult and gestational diabetes, weight control, cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, breastfeeding, infant and toddler nutrition, prenatal nutrition, sports nutrition, general nutrition, and stress management to professional, collegiate, professional organizations, and community groups. 

 

Tips on Keeping The Weight Off Year Round and During the Holidays:   

• Start your day with a high fiber breakfast. Eating breakfast will not only jump start your metabolism but will also help to control your appetite for the rest of the day. Breakfast skippers tend to overeat at lunch and/or get the incredible “sweet tooth” at around three to four o’clock in the afternoon. If you skip breakfast you are beginning the day in a deficit that your body naturally wants to make up. This can lead to greater caloric consumption throughout the day.
• Remember to eat every 3-4 hours or have a snack in order to not skip meals or eat at irregular meal times, which can result in the risk of overeating.
• Share portions when eating out at restaurants. It makes the occasion more intimate and special.
• Carry appropriate snacks such as 5 dried apricots, 6 almonds, and 1 Babybell lite cheese in a plastic bag so that the desire to grab those holiday sweets is diminished.
• Eat slowly at the festivities. By enjoying one another’s company, it takes longer to chew and digest the food. After about 20 minutes, our bodies recognize satiety which will assist one from over-eating.
• Bring a healthy dish to the holiday festivities. Not only will others enjoy the dish, but you’ll have something light and healthy to eat, too.
• When at the party, don’t deny yourself the pleasure of tasting food. Instead, choose your few favorite dishes you’d like to try and take small portions of each. A good portion size would be the size of your palm.
• Determine your goals for the holiday season. For example, do not make food the center of attention. Instead, focus on enjoying other activities. Mentally go through the event, picturing your self as a success.
• Stick with your plan. By maintaining and planning, we can be prepared for times when we might be hungry or tempted.