Although this is a joyous time for most people, some of us can get a little anxious about putting on a few pounds of that classic holiday weight gain. With all the good food around, it is easy to overeat and end up regretting it later. But don’t worry, holiday weight gain is totally manageable and even avoidable! Here are some simple lifestyle changes that you can make to help manage that dreaded holiday weight gain.
Tips for Avoiding Holiday Weight Gain
A big part of holiday weight gain is because we’re surrounded by some of our favorite foods we usually avoid. It is easy to overdo it when you restrict yourself from having certain foods, and then you are suddenly surrounded by those off-limit foods. Overeating on calories is the cause of holiday weight gain.
One practical way to avoid this problem is to have no off-limits food all year round! This may seem counterintuitive at first, but restricting calories or specific foods can lead to overindulgence later. Instead of putting special significance on foods, you’ll only eat for the holidays as a “cheat day,” have those foods any time of the year you want to. This will help you eat in moderation and avoid holiday weight gain when the season rolls around.
If you want to maintain a healthy weight all year, don’t forget to look into intuitive eating. This lifestyle choice can help you avoid holiday weight gain and maintain a healthy body and mind. Intuitive eating focuses on allowing your body to communicate its needs. Eating when you are hungry and stopping when you are full are some of the basics of intuitive eating.
There are significant psychological and physical benefits to intuitive eating, including a lower BMI (body mass index) and a healthier relationship with food. Studies have shown that intuitive eating effectively maintains weight levels, making it an effective approach to avoiding holiday weight gain. As you navigate the stress of avoiding holiday weight gain, slow down and pay attention to what your body says. Eating what you want in moderation is a great way to maintain a healthy body and mind and stay away from holiday weight gain.
Food Recommendations
We talked above about some lifestyle changes that you can implement to help circumvent holiday weight gain. However, there are also some great options of new foods or even classic favorites that you can try out this holiday. One great way to keep holiday weight gain in check is to eat fiber-rich, satiating foods. These will not only keep you satisfied longer but will also slow down your body’s absorption of calories. Fruits, veggies, and whole grains are the best way to ensure you’re getting enough fiber to maintain satiety and keep off holiday weight gain.
Here are some incredible holiday dishes featuring vegetables curated by Martha Stewart. These tantalizing dishes will allow you to enjoy delicious food during the festivities while getting around holiday weight gain.
Thankfully, fruit pies are already a staple of the holiday season. You can knock out getting your fiber through fruits with recipes like this tasty apple pie. Since you can manage holiday weight gain by getting your holiday staples and eating healthy ingredients, add this delicious cornbread stuffing to your holiday cooking repertoire.
There are plenty of nutritious holiday favorite alternatives to choose from if you still want to evade holiday weight gain. Having some classic alternatives with lower calories may reduce your stress levels this holiday season while still ensuring that you get to eat all of your holiday favorites.
A Parting Reminder
Our Top Doctor Magazine team hopes you have found this guide to navigating holiday weight gain helpful. Remember that an essential aspect of a healthy lifestyle includes your attitude and perspective towards food, which includes how you approach holiday weight gain. Although this can be a stressful subject, we hope that you have learned some valuable concepts and gotten some fun new recipes to try out this holiday season. If you have specific health concerns regarding your weight, we encourage you to check out our Lifestyle publication!
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