Do you throw in the towel this time of year?

With the holiday season upon us, food temptations are everywhere.  

• The cookies and candy that show up in the office kitchen.
• Holiday parties where the alcohol flows.
• The colder weather keeps you indoors, so you move less.
• Your lack of boundaries keeps you in a state of stress as you over-give and overdo, causing you to reach for sugar.

I get it.  I love tasty treats and a lovely glass of champagne, too.

It doesn’t have to be all or nothing.

Here’s how I approach food at any holiday party or meal.

• Have a nourishing breakfast. It should have protein and non-starchy veggies.
• Hydrate with water throughout the day.
• Don’t show up to parties ravenous.  Have a snack with protein.
• If you drink alcohol, eat protein and non-starchy veggies first.

These nutrients should be your priority:

• Look for the protein - chicken, beef, turkey, pork, fish.  Protein will help you feel full and satiated.
• Eat non-starchy veggies: salad greens, broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts. (Think of salad ingredients.) Their fiber helps control your blood sugar.
• Look for healthy fats—depending on the cut of beef, you may not need more fat. Cheese, nuts, butter, and oil are likely in many side dishes. Fats give you sustained energy and stable blood sugar. They’re also high in calories, so consume them in moderation.

A plate rich in protein and veggies helps curb sugar and carb cravings and prevents overeating.

Eat these in moderation after protein and non-starchy veggies:

• Starchy carbs and sugar: sweet potatoes, potatoes, stuffing, rice, pumpkin, fruit, pies, cake, cookies, bread, rolls and alcohol. 

Try this if you want to:

• Wake up the day after Thanksgiving feeling good and energized rather than bloated and exhausted.
• Get through the holiday season without feeling exhausted and run down, fighting the cold everyone around you will get.
• Skip the dreaded 5+ pounds of weight gain. 

Take a walk after your holiday meal rather than plopping down on the couch. Even a ten-minute walk can help you lessen your blood sugar response.

Ready to stop spinning in circles and start feeling better? Reply to schedule a free call to explore your health history, review what hasn’t worked in the past, and outline how I can help you with a program tailored to your needs.