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"Diana, just a quick heads up to let you know we are still using your cookbook and the guys will often be heard saying what would Diana say about this or that....really good feed back... I made your potato salad and the oriental coleslaw on Sat. for a family luncheon and had rave reviews so thanks again."
BC Hydro
Christmas Party Survival Tips
Christmas festivities are well underway and the goodies just seem to be everywhere. If you are concerned about sabotaging your health goals by going to yet another Christmas party, here are some tips to prepare you for the next big bash.
Don’t save up by not eating. This will just result in the feeling of starvation upon arrival and you will more than likely eat too much of all those high calories treats. Your body compensates when you starve it by lowering your metabolism. This then sets you up to store all those calories as fat in preparation for another bout of starvation.
Don’t deprive yourself the next day to compensate. Your body will go into starvation mode and your metabolism will plummet so your body can hoard nutrients
Go properly fueled. Eat balanced meals throughout the day and ½ an hour before you go have a low calorie, high fiber snack like an apple, orange, yogurt and bran or small salad
Mentally practice strategies for declining food offers. I’ve had some thank you they’re delicious. I’m just taking a little break right now, everything looks just fabulous
Have conversations away from the food table
Nibble on healthier stuff – fruit, vegetables, turkey, pretzels, salsa, yogurt-based dips, popcorn, shrimp or prawn
Portion Control. If there are plates, use them. This way you can fill your plate and see how much food you are eating. Try to fill most of each plate with fruit or vegetables
Avoid the mentality “I’ve already blown it…” and practice moderation instead. This is not an all or none situation. Just try to do your best but enjoy yourself. Stay tuned for next week when we discuss the 80-20 Rule and Pleasure Maximization
Get rid of your plate and napkin when full. Have a mint or gum when you are finished eating to clear the taste from your mout
Stay hydrated. Hold a glass of water in your dominant hand. This way you will nibble less and drink less alcohol. Watch the alcohol. 4 oz of eggnog and 1 ½ oz of dark rum = 265 kcal. A couple of those are equal to the calories in one meal
Keep up your exercise routine though the holidays. Make it a priority. Drag other members of the family with you
If you are currently trying to achieve a healthy body weight, aim for weight maintenance through the holiday season instead of weight loss.