Disclaimer: I am a Hyland’s Homeopathy Ambassador and receive various
products and gift cards from Hyland’s and promotional partners at no
cost to me. All views and opinions expressed on this blog post and
corresponding social network mentions are my own and are not to be
interpreted as medical advice.
Holiday Time! That means extra family, food and fun! But, what it doesn't have to mean is extra pounds or calories. And believe me, when I say that I am a sweets addict and I love the holidays because they are full of yummy homemade ones that you just don't get any other time of the year. And besides the sweets there are appetizers and homemade feasts galore! Are you like me and reach for everything else before the salad and then just fill that tiny slice of plate that is left with it, or just skip it because who wants salad mixed in with all of their food? If so, then I'll give you some insight into three methods that I find work the best for me all year long, but especially on the holidays.
1. Eat the salad/veggies and lean protein first.
Yes, you read that right. My best method for making sure I get those all important nutritious foods in during a big meal is to start my plate with those items that I know are good for me and I would likely under-portion myself in lieu of over-portioning the not so healthy items. So, I pile on those veggies (no, corn is not a veggie and green bean casserole doesn't count!), salad (minimal dressing) and lean protein (fried chicken excluded!) to your plate and chow down. Then, when you are finished, reward yourself with the rest of the meal and you will find that not only will you have fulfilled your body's need for nutrient filled foods, but you will feel fuller and be less likely to over-indulge in everything else!
Need some help figuring out what is a vegetable or lean protein? Below are some great resources:
How to Make Wise Protein Food Choices
What are Vegetables?