How I stick to my healthy diet over the holidays

It's that time of the year when most of us have too much on our plate, literally and figuratively.  Believe me, I know - while juggling everything on the to-do list it's easy to drop the ball on eating healthy!  Here are three, simple things that I do to stay on the healthy eating track during the holidays.  You can do them too as you host your holiday parties, attend your office functions and ring in the new year.  Read on. (Or, just watch the 3 videos below if you're too busy to read!)

 

1.)  Stick to the 5-A-Day Plan.  Eating lots of fruits and vegetables during the holidays will ensure you get enough antioxidants, vitamins and minerals to keep your immune system and your stamina high during these cold and busy months.  They also have lots of fiber and water so they'll keep you feeling full and satisfied with less Calories.

2.) Put a Cap on Your Treats.  Keep a mental note of how much wine and other "extras" you eat. (Extras are foods that supply more calories than nutrients  and aren't part of your regular healthy eating plan like alcohol, cookies, pretzels, etc.)  Put a cap on how many servings of these you'll have each day - mine is 2 servings per day -  but if you think that might be too strict, try 3 or 4 max.  

      

3.) Have half-portions then you can go back for more.  You'll feel like you had 2 servings when you only had one!  Try not to have seconds of everything. When you do have them, take time to chew and really enjoy! 

Here are some serving size examples: a serving of wine is 6-oz (about 150 Calories); two medium cookies (2.5" in diameter) are a serving (around 100 Calories per cookie);  cupcakes are all different sizes but they run 200-500 calories depending on the size and what it's made of.  How many extra calories can you spare?  Decide before you get to the party, and stick to your decision. 

A bonus tip if you're still reading:  It's always easier to eat healthy when you're having the party at your own house.  You're in control of what's for dinner, you can serve yourself smaller portions and pour yourself lots of water in-between servings of alcohol.

My guests play and make fun of me for being healthy and unconventional, but they also end up eating it all up!  To top it off, they feel great the next morning (without any of that after-party guilt)!  At my latest pre-holiday party we had lowfat popcorn, pitas, hummus and carrots while we waited on dinner.  For the entree we had low fat bison sliders, kale chips and red wine.  For dessert we had sweet tangerines and persimmons.  Best of all, you get to show your friends and family that healthy eating can be tasty- and the party is just as fun!