Did you know that the average Thanksgiving dinner can pack in over 2000 calories? Let's face it, we're all going to eat - and probably more than we should. It's a real challenge to watch your waistline over the holidays when so many get togethers are focused around food. If you want to feel good, be healthy, and still fit into your skinny jeans without having to deprive yourself this holiday season, then follow these eating tips below, and your New Years Resolution this year won't have to revolve around losing weight.
Eat Breakfast! I always hear people say they want to "save" their calories. Big mistake...you've got to get that metabolism going first thing. When we are hungry, we often eat faster, and we tend to eat more, so start your day off with a good workout, and a healthy, well balanced breakfast.
Non è un maiale (Don't be a pig)! Remember, moderation is key. If you want to sample all the foods, you must have small portions. For dinner, make your plate half veggies, on quarter white meat turkey (no skin), and one quarter starch. Eat slowly, stop when you are full, and don't go back for seconds.
Drink up! And by this I mean water. That morning coffee you have when you skip breakfast will dehydrate you and can often throw your metabolism off balance. Get up and have a tall glass of water, first thing, then have your coffee - with breakfast. Alcohol will also cause dehydration...go one for one (alcohol, water) if you decide to drink.
'Tis the season for high-fat and high-sugar! Butter, cream, sugar....they all seem to make it into so many dishes this time of year. Mashed potatoes with butter and full fat milk, cheese filled casserole dishes, creamy soups, candied yams, fried onions on green beans. And that's just dinner! Apple crumb cakes, pecan and pumpkin pies - all topped with ice cream. I'll say it again - moderation is key. Limit your portion sizes.
Substitute your highs with you lows or no's. Almost all packaged ingredients like butter, mayonnaise, cream, and sour cream come in a low fat or fat-free version, so use them! And if you tell me "it just doesn't taste the same", I will ask you how your hips, thighs and stomach feel about that? Instead of using regular creamed soup and whole milk in your green bean casserole, try 98% fat-free creamed soup and 1% or nonfat milk. This simple change slashes a whopping 14 grams of fat, and 125 calories! Swapping half & half and regular butter with low or nonfat milk, and a butter substitute (I like Brummel & Brown) will save 21 grams of fat and 190 calories in your mashed potatoes. Hello skinny jeans!!
Don't be a chicken! If you're making pies and cakes this holiday season, eggs are a crucial ingredient on your baking list. If your guests have heart health concerns, try substituting one egg with 2 egg whites to cut down on fat and cholesterol. However, do your research, because this substitution doesn't work in all recipes. You can also use an egg substitute such as All Whites or Egg Beaters when the recipe calls for eggs as an emulsifier.
The White Devil! Can you believe that the average American eats the equivalent of 20 teaspoons of sugar a day?!?! And that number skyrockets starting at Halloween, right up until the New Year. As a general rule, unsweetened applesauce, canned pumpkin or pureed prunes can be substituted for half the sugar in recipes. I don't typically recommend artificial sweeteners, however, you may consider natural sugar alternatives such as stevia or agave nector.
Try something NEW! Some of my favorite places to go for healthy recipes are: eatingwell.com, cookinglight.com, healthyrecipe.net, epicurious.com and foodnetwork.com.
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