Here are some of the foods we expect to meet over the next few weeks and strategies for dealing with them in a way that will have you cheering yourself on every step of the way.
Welcome to December and the food and fun marathon that it is. Lace up your running shoes – you may want to do this literally to keep those extra pounds at bay – and get ready to celebrate all month long while you’re shopping, wrapping, and still juggling all your regular responsibilities. If you’ve run a marathon or just faced a holiday season before, you probably know that preparation is key! Knowing what you may face during the next month in the way of diet challenges as well as how to navigate them and still enjoy the month can mean the difference between running across the New Year’s Day finish line strong and confident or dragging yourself – along with some guilt – into another new year with another new diet.
Here are some of the foods we expect to meet over the next few weeks and strategies for dealing with them in a way that will have you cheering yourself on every step of the way:
Prime Rib – Be on the lookout for this guy hanging around the brunch buffet or dinner table. Sure he’s a tradition, but he’s not the leanest cut out there. Diet-friendly tip: skip the Rib to opt for a leaner cut of meat for the same muscle-building protein without the added fat and calories. If you just can’t say no to this charming devil, keep portion sizes small and balance out your plate with healthier choices like fresh fruits and veggies.
Green Bean Casserole and Mashed Potatoes – These are just a case of good veggies caught up with the wrong crowd. On their own, Green Beans are a good source of fiber and vitamin C, and Potatoes are packed with potassium and fiber. Diet-friendly tip: Choose simply prepared veggies flavored with herbs, spices or lemon. Don’t be afraid to ask questions to make sure higher fat and calorie ingredients like butter and cream haven’t snuck into the dish.
Cookies – Tempting holiday cookies are usually so decadently beautiful and rich with memories (and gooey ingredients), it almost seems wrong to turn them down. Diet-friendly tip: Skip them all together or schedule time for a few extra laps around the mall to stay on track with your diet while still savoring a favorite cookie.Candy Canes and Chocolates – Candy is everywhere right now! EVERYWHERE! It’s like these treats have started raining down from the heavens when we aren’t looking. Diet-friendly tip: Indulge in these sweet treats just once or twice a week to help prevent sugar spikes that could leave you feeling sluggish and battling more cravings.
Eggnog – This guy is a notorious diet saboteur! Sure he’s a tradition, but he can have hundreds of calories and is usually so smooth, he can talk you into a second calorie and fat-packed glass. Diet-friendly tip: Try a healthier eggnog recipe or skip him all together for a lighter celebratory drink like wine.