Dr. Gary’s Tips for
Surviving the Holiday Eating Bonanza!
- Don’t go it alone: If you are going to a holiday party with a significant other talk with them before leaving the house on how they can be supportive while at the party or event.
- Take Your Own Food: If you are taking a dish to the party then take something that you like and is easy for you to eat.
- Eat Slowly: Remember to eat very slowly. It is easy to lose track of how you are eating in a party atmosphere.
- Look before Eating: Look at the food on your plate before you eat to make sure the portion sizes are right for you.
- No Hanging Out: Do not linger around the buffet tables. Prepare your plate and move away from the food.
- Small is Better: Use the smallest bowls and plates available. You will seem to have more food and portion control is much easier.
- Fashionably Late: If possible alert your host that you will be arriving late and skip the food portion of the party.
- Eat Here not There: If possible you may want to eat at home before leaving for the party.
- Water is Your Companion: Keep a water bottle or glass of water with you at all time. Drinking the water will help you control the eating.
- Watch the Alcohol: If you decide to drink alcoholic beverages keep in mind they are very high in calories, which is particularly true of holiday type alcoholic drinks. Drinking alcohol will also lower your inhibition and judgment, which can cause you to eat more than planned.
- Leftovers Must Leave: If the party is at your house send all the leftovers home with your guests.
- Enjoy the Company: Keep in mind the most treasured part of getting together is to enjoy conversation with friends and loved ones. Focus on interacting with others rather than eating. Make interacting primary and food secondary.
- On High Alert for Emotional Eating: This is the time of year where you have to be very cautious about emotional eating. The holidays and get-togethers can lead to an unusual amount of emotional eating.
- A Slip is Not a Failure: If you do slip up please do not beat up on yourself. Recognize the slip for what it is and quickly move on with a lesson learned!
I hope these are helpful to each of you this and future holiday seasons.
