How to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain

Holidays can be hard on your waistline and hard on your mind. We take normally “busy” lifestyle and add more “busyness” on top of it. All of this rushing around can lead you to make impulsive food choices, feel continuously fatigued, emotionally drained and end up NOT enjoying much of what is supposed to be a very happy time.

Caron Sharp, nutritionist at Colleton Medical Center offers some tips and tricks on how to avoid holiday weight gain:

1. Ramp up your exercise! Whether it be 15 minutes or taking the stairs, each step takes you towards a leaner body.
2. Snack on fruits and veggies – Filling up on these goodies are low calorie and prevent indulging on that pecan pie.
3. Limit sweets to once per day – Choose ONE item from all the mouth-watering desserts a day. Everything is okay in moderation.
4. NEVER go hungry to a party – Pre-party snacking allows you to make healthier decisions at holiday gatherings. Choose apples, yogurt, or a piece of toast.
5. Bring a healthy dish to the party – This way you know there will be a healthy option.
6. Socialize – The more you chat with your friends and family, the less time you have to eat!
7. Use a smaller plate – It’s harder to put triple servings on smaller plates.