Did you know that the average Thanksgiving dinner has over 2,000 calories?! Eggnog has 340 to 460 calories per eight-ounce glass. Add in the extra deserts and alcohol, no wonder most Americans gain on average 5-10lbs each years between the Thanksgiving and New Years. I know that doesn't really sound like much but the truth is those 5-10lbs are not lost from the year before and keep piling up over the years. So how do you avoid the temptation to eat until you can’t move on Thanksgiving? How do you not drink a cocktail at your company Christmas party? There are a few secrets that healthy people have to keep themselves in check during the holiday parties. Here are a few of mine:
1. Don’t ever go to a party hungry!! You know there is going to be thousands of bad choices and you don’t want to be the psycho in corner eating the entire veggie try. Do yourself a favor and eat a healthy meal (300 calories, More than 10g protein, Less than 30g of carbs) right before you go. This way you can still taste to get your fix but you don’t have to make a meal out of it. Notice I said taste, one or two bites of anything is enough to satisfy your craving.
2. Make and bring a healthy version of your favorite holiday treat to the party. This way when if you do get hungry you can fall back on the healthy version that you made. Note: don’t go around broadcasting that it only has 100 calories, 10g of protein and no carbs……most people are scared of healthy anything and that’s why they will be gaining 5-10lbs this season. Just smile and take complements when people tell you how awesome it tastes. I sometimes wait until its all gone to share the fact that is was also healthy for them. Still people will always try to avoid healthy especially at a party…..maybe they don’t want to be known as a health nut. Either way I’m not going to let their weird obsession with crappy food ruin my body. My favorite recipe for Thanksgiving is a pumpkin pie made with meal replacement shakes and protein powder. It actually tastes better than the normal way!
3. Stay hydrated! You should be obsessed with drinking water! You body can and most of the time does send you mixed signals about wither it is hungry or thirsty. Always always reach for water first before you decide that you are hungry. You will be amazed on how often it was just a hydration issue. Plus drinking water will help fill up your stomach when you are hungry. Also add electrolyte replacement drinks to keep you super hydrated. Watch for sugar though! A lot of "sports" drinks are loaded with sugar.
4. Look for lower calorie alcohol beverages. Seriously I’m not going to say to stay away from alcohol during the holidays, I definitely don’t, but there are some damage control tactics that are helpful. Eggnog is delicious, especially with rum and cinnamon, as stated earlier one 8oz glass can have almost 500 calories!! AHHH! This is actually my favorite holiday drink so here’s my secret, Silk Eggnog instead! You cannot tell the difference taste wise and it has less calories and even gives you protein too. Stick to light beers, clear liquors like vodka with non-sugary mixers (flavored vodka and water is actually really good), and pace yourself. Try drinking a glass of water in between each drink. It will slow you down and keep you hydrated and that my friends leads to a much more pleasant morning.
5. Stay active! If you are at a party and there is wii bowling jump in on that! Dancing anyone? YES please!! Park down the street and walk. Help other guests carry in bags and trays. Help clean up. Use the upstairs bathroom…..You get the point! Just like all those little desserts add up….so do these little extra activities. Now just cause you used the upstairs bathroom doesn’t mean that you can eat 5 mini cheeseburgers, but it will add to your calories burned that day. If you know that it is going to be a bad night than put in extra time at the gym that day and eat extra healthy, but that to me is kind of setting yourself up to fail don’t you think?
Those are some of the tactics that I use to stay on track at the holiday parties. Of course I have more but if I give out all my secrets then you wouldn’t need to keep coming to me for advice and then I wouldn’t have a job. Stay healthy this Holiday Season, because you won’t be getting a new body for Christmas this year either! : )
Peas&Love,
Shanna 09
1. Don’t ever go to a party hungry!! You know there is going to be thousands of bad choices and you don’t want to be the psycho in corner eating the entire veggie try. Do yourself a favor and eat a healthy meal (300 calories, More than 10g protein, Less than 30g of carbs) right before you go. This way you can still taste to get your fix but you don’t have to make a meal out of it. Notice I said taste, one or two bites of anything is enough to satisfy your craving.
2. Make and bring a healthy version of your favorite holiday treat to the party. This way when if you do get hungry you can fall back on the healthy version that you made. Note: don’t go around broadcasting that it only has 100 calories, 10g of protein and no carbs……most people are scared of healthy anything and that’s why they will be gaining 5-10lbs this season. Just smile and take complements when people tell you how awesome it tastes. I sometimes wait until its all gone to share the fact that is was also healthy for them. Still people will always try to avoid healthy especially at a party…..maybe they don’t want to be known as a health nut. Either way I’m not going to let their weird obsession with crappy food ruin my body. My favorite recipe for Thanksgiving is a pumpkin pie made with meal replacement shakes and protein powder. It actually tastes better than the normal way!
3. Stay hydrated! You should be obsessed with drinking water! You body can and most of the time does send you mixed signals about wither it is hungry or thirsty. Always always reach for water first before you decide that you are hungry. You will be amazed on how often it was just a hydration issue. Plus drinking water will help fill up your stomach when you are hungry. Also add electrolyte replacement drinks to keep you super hydrated. Watch for sugar though! A lot of "sports" drinks are loaded with sugar.
4. Look for lower calorie alcohol beverages. Seriously I’m not going to say to stay away from alcohol during the holidays, I definitely don’t, but there are some damage control tactics that are helpful. Eggnog is delicious, especially with rum and cinnamon, as stated earlier one 8oz glass can have almost 500 calories!! AHHH! This is actually my favorite holiday drink so here’s my secret, Silk Eggnog instead! You cannot tell the difference taste wise and it has less calories and even gives you protein too. Stick to light beers, clear liquors like vodka with non-sugary mixers (flavored vodka and water is actually really good), and pace yourself. Try drinking a glass of water in between each drink. It will slow you down and keep you hydrated and that my friends leads to a much more pleasant morning.
5. Stay active! If you are at a party and there is wii bowling jump in on that! Dancing anyone? YES please!! Park down the street and walk. Help other guests carry in bags and trays. Help clean up. Use the upstairs bathroom…..You get the point! Just like all those little desserts add up….so do these little extra activities. Now just cause you used the upstairs bathroom doesn’t mean that you can eat 5 mini cheeseburgers, but it will add to your calories burned that day. If you know that it is going to be a bad night than put in extra time at the gym that day and eat extra healthy, but that to me is kind of setting yourself up to fail don’t you think?
Those are some of the tactics that I use to stay on track at the holiday parties. Of course I have more but if I give out all my secrets then you wouldn’t need to keep coming to me for advice and then I wouldn’t have a job. Stay healthy this Holiday Season, because you won’t be getting a new body for Christmas this year either! : )
Peas&Love,
Shanna 09
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