Holiday Meal Battle Plan
Published on Nov 21st, 2007 in Weight Loss with
The holiday eating season is upon us, beginning with Thanksgiving and continuing on through the new year. To someone trying to lose weight, this season can be a huge struggle! However, I say you can win the fight against weight gain, even while enjoying the festive foods of the season. What you need is a well thought out battle plan! Here are some ideas:
Eat protein first - Protein will trigger the “I’m full” sensation sooner.
Serve yourself 1/3 less than you would have otherwise. You probably won’t even notice!
Drink lots of water - to make you feel full. Plus, it’s common to nibble when your body really just needs to be hydrated.
Fill most of your plate with white turkey meat and vegetables. Leave less room for the refined carbs (stuffing, candied yams, white rolls, etc…)
Take your time eating. Focus on visiting and conversation at the table instead of stuffing yourself.
Don’t go for seconds. Turn in your plate when finished eating, thus avoiding the temptation to fill it with seconds.
Make wiser dessert choices. When faced with a mountain of desserts, choose one small slice of your one favorite dessert, or 2 bites of your 2 favorites.
Share your dessert with your significant other. Plus, my mother insists that there are no calories if you’re eating off of someone else’s plate! 
Skip the whipped cream/ice cream - You’ll save a ton of calories.
Don’t eat the pie crust - Again, you’ll save a ton of calories!
Go for a walk after dinner instead of collapsing on the couch in a food coma.
Go easy on hors d’oeuvres. Take 1 or 2 tastes and that’s it! Save yourself for the main dinner.
Beware of the munchies - the chips, pretzels, nuts, popcorn, and candies. One handful is a serving. Stick with that!
Cook healthier. If you’re cooking the meal, use less butter and salt; keep the skin on potatoes; cook a big, mixed vegetable dish; serve a vegetable tray instead of chips; have whole grain rolls instead of white.
Offer low-fat/lower calorie options to your guests, like skim milk, water, lite salad dressing, low-fat ice cream or frozen yogurt, lite whipped cream, etc.
Be mindful of what you’re putting in your mouth. Don’t eat while watching the game or the holiday specials.
Bring a healthy dish to the potluck. That way you know you can fill up on it if you’re surrounded by fattening foods!
Skillfully handle leftovers. If the host/hostess invites you to take home some leftovers, you can - A: Politely refuse, or B: Say, “thank you” and then you dish out the type and amount of leftovers you want. If you’re the host, encourage your guests to take home leftovers, especially the desserts! 
Keep up with your exercise routine. Granted this is a busy time of year, but planning ahead will help you maintain your workout schedule (and your waistline)!
Prepare at breakfast. On the day of a big dinner, eat a lighter breakfast of protein and a complex carbohydrate. The goal is to start the day on a healthy note, feel satisfied, and be able to save yourself for the holiday meal without feeling ravenous!
Enjoy the day! Enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells! Focus on the meaning of the season, and don’t stress too much over the food. After all, we’ve got a lot to be thankful for, and that includes the food.
photo credit: lstedman
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