logo
g Text Version
Beauty & Self
Books & Music
Career
Computers
Education
Family
Food & Wine
Health & Fitness
Hobbies & Crafts
Home & Garden
Money
News & Politics
Relationships
Religion & Spirituality
Sports
Travel & Culture
TV & Movies

dailyclick
Bored? Games!
Nutrition
Postcards
Take a Quiz
Rate My Photo

new
Photography
Gay Lesbian
Hispanic Culture
Preschool Education
American Regional Cuisine
Girl Scouts
Crafts for Kids


dailyclick
All times in EST

Full Schedule
g
g Healthy Foods Site

BellaOnline's Healthy Foods Editor

g

How to Avoid Calorie Overload During the Holidays

Guest Author - Angela Thornton-Millard

Stay hydrated. Dehydration can sometimes mask itself as huger. So, keep a bottle of water with you and stay hydrated. Try to limit or avoid dehydrating drinks that contain caffeine or alcohol. Make sure to drink a large glass of water before heading out to any holiday parties. That way your stomach will feel full, and you will avoid getting dehydrated.

Don't drink your calories. Cocktails and holiday punch can add a lot of unnecessary calories to your day. Cocktails can also cloud your judgment, causing you to indulge in unhealthy foods. Stick with water with a lemon slice or club soda with a lime. If you want to indulge in a cocktail, choose lower calorie options like a small glass of wine or a gin and tonic. If you plan to have more than one cocktail, have a glass of water or other low-calorie beverage between cocktails to lessen the calories and to compensate for the dehydrating effects of alcohol. Most importantly, if you do drink alcohol at a holiday party, do not drive. Driving under the influence is not only bad for your health, but for the health of other drivers as well.

Have a snack. Don't go to a holiday party famished. About half an hour before the party, eat a healthy snack. Try an apple with a dab of natural peanut butter, some carrot sticks and cheese cubes, or hummus and fresh vegetables. If you aren't starving when you get to the party, it will be easier to make good choices.

Handling the buffet. First, choose the smallest plate available, you can always go through the line a second time if necessary. Look over the choices and focus on healthy options. Most people offer a veggie tray, a fruit tray or a salad option. Load up your plate with these items. Then take small portions of the higher calorie treats. This way you won't feel totally deprived but will still avoid too many extra calories.

Set some rules. Before you go to a party, set up some rules for yourself. For example, tell yourself you are going vegetarian for the evening. That way you automatically avoid some of the higher calorie options without feeling totally deprived. If sweets are your downfall, make a rule to avoid all sugar. Let yourself indulge in the savory treats, but avoid the dessert table.

The holidays should be fun, and you shouldn't feel totally deprived. Set up some parameters for your holiday eating so that you can enjoy your parties and gatherings without totally abandoning your healthy eating principles. You will feel better and avoid the holiday weight gain.

Add How+to+Avoid+Calorie+Overload+During+the+Holidays to Twitter Add How+to+Avoid+Calorie+Overload+During+the+Holidays to Facebook Add How+to+Avoid+Calorie+Overload+During+the+Holidays to MySpace Add How+to+Avoid+Calorie+Overload+During+the+Holidays to Del.icio.us Digg How+to+Avoid+Calorie+Overload+During+the+Holidays Add How+to+Avoid+Calorie+Overload+During+the+Holidays to Yahoo My Web Add How+to+Avoid+Calorie+Overload+During+the+Holidays to Google Bookmarks Add How+to+Avoid+Calorie+Overload+During+the+Holidays to Stumbleupon Add How+to+Avoid+Calorie+Overload+During+the+Holidays to Reddit




RSS | Related Articles | Editor's Picks Articles | Top Ten Articles | Previous Features | Site Map


For FREE email updates, subscribe to the Healthy Foods Newsletter


Past Issues


print
Printer Friendly
bookmark
Bookmark
tell friend
Tell a Friend
forum
Forum
email
Email Editor


Content copyright © 2013 by Angela Thornton-Millard. All rights reserved.
This content was written by Angela Thornton-Millard. If you wish to use this content in any manner, you need written permission. Contact Alicia Bodine for details.

g


g features
Strawberry Banana Yogurt Smoothie Recipe

Consider Raw Honey as a Sugar Substitute

Juice Your Way to Good Health

Archives | Site Map

forum
Forum
email
Contact

Past Issues
memberscenter


vote
Earth Day Favorite
Eating Local
Enjoying Nature
Spring Cleaning
Helping Others



BellaOnline on Facebook
g


| About BellaOnline | Privacy Policy | Advertising | Become an Editor |
Website copyright © 2013 Minerva WebWorks LLC. All rights reserved.


BellaOnline Editor