Fighting Those Holidaze Pounds

Most of us will gain a few pounds during the holiday season. Here are the top six foods that contribute to holiday weight gain:

Nuts – they contain a healthier fat but a serving of nuts is only a small hand full – not half the bowl.

Eggnog – one cup is like eating a cheeseburger. Add some whisky and there are more calories.

Cheese – little chunks of cheese go down so quick and easy, but they stack up a bunch of calories real fast.

Fruitcake – does anyone eat fruitcake? If you do, keep in mind it has a lot of dried fruits and sugar which means lots of calories in a small piece.

Cookies – everywhere you go there are holiday cookies. One here, two there, one more for the road, and they all add up. Try just eating the very special ones that you may only be served during the holiday time.

Alcohol – we forget to count the calories from those extra holiday drinks.

Fight that gain by:

Sticking to your regular exercise program if you have one.

If you don’t exercise it’s time to start. Take a walk to burn those extra calories.

Watch your portions, especially of those high calorie food items. A little can be enough.

Don’t go to a party hungry!

Alcohol has calories, so drink in moderation.

Fill up on vegetables and fruits. Just go easy with the dips.

After you have eaten, try chewing on a piece of mint gum. It may help keep you from continuing to pick and taste. Besides you may get caught under the mistletoe!

Save your calories for those special foods served only at holiday time and skip the usual foods that you can have any old day.

This website is partially funded through the VitaGrant project, from the Indirect Vitamins Purchasers Antitrust Litigation Settlement administered by the New York State Attorney General.