It’s that time of the year again! It’s time to celebrate the holidays with parties, get-togethers, corporate dinners, and of course the endless family celebrations. While the holidays can sneak up on us every year, doesn’t mean the pounds have to follow.
The average American will gain 7-10 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Now, don’t let that happen to you this holiday season. Temptations will be knocking at every door. Boss’s giving you boxes of chocolate or bottles of wine, Grandma’s homemade warm apple pie, Aunt Martha’s cheesy potato casserole, and even grocers putting out their array of colorful and mouth-watering cookies, pies, and exquisite holiday pastries are just the beginning. However, there is no need to deprive your taste buds this holiday season.
When attending a holiday party…
- Limit grazing or sampling. Instead, take a plate of choose what you would like to eat. That way you can see it all on your plate and take your time enjoying each bite.
- Plan ahead. Eat lighter meals on the days you have a holiday party to attend. Don’t skip breakfast or lunch to make up for your twenty-course holiday dinner. You will eat too fast, too much, and consume even more by holding out.
- Snack on fruits and vegetables before heading out the door. Have a small salad, a cup of yogurt or a handful of almonds – all good hunger fighting foods.
- When you’re not at a holiday party, enjoy plenty of vegetables and whole grains at home to keep your cravings low.
- Slow down! On average, it takes your stomach 20 minutes to produce hormones that tell your brain you’re full. So, eat slowly and you’ll feel full faster with less food. Slowing down adds more pleasure to your eating. Enjoy what you’re eating, don’t feel guilty! But slow to truly take in the flavors and textures.
- Stay hydrated with the legendary H2O. Limit your alcohol and caffeine consumption.
- Focus on all the things you enjoy about the holidays, including people you love, things you’re grateful for and simple pleasures that make you smile.
- Bring a healthier holiday treat. Try one of my favorite recipes below for Holiday Truffles.
Healthy Holiday Truffles
1 ½ cups rolled oats (whole oats, not instant. gluten free oats are an option.)
16 oz almond butter (or other nut butter)
½ cup blue agave nectar or raw honey
1/3 cup ground flaxseed
1 package naturally sweetened chocolate chips or dark chocolate bar with high cacao content
Bowl full of dried coconut
Put oats in a food processor or blender and blend until they assume a powder-like texture. Add almond butter and agave or honey and mix well. Adjust consistency if necessary. Add ground flax seed and mix. Roll batter into small balls. Melt chocolate in a saucepan or double boiler. Dip one half of each Holiday Truffle in melted chocolate, then roll in coconut.
Enjoy!
