Healthy Eating Tips for the Holidays

Holidays are fun but they can also pose certain challenges especially if you’re trying to lose weight. We interviewed our New Life Center for Bariatric Surgery registered dietitian, Krystal, for some tips on how to eat healthy on these special occasions. Here are some of her healthy eating tips:

Halloween
• Avoid buying your favorite candy.
It will not help you in your weight loss journey. Treat yourself with non-food treats instead. If you’re planning to buy candies, do it at the last minute. At least, it will not be in your house for too long.

• Avoid decorating with candy – out of sight, out of mind!
Fun-sized candies may seem like a good compromise but the calories from these small treats can easily add up! Candy here and there can easily rack up thousands of calories especially if you’re stuck at home.

• Be generous. Donate your candies ASAP. Take it to work or hand it to charity.

Thanksgiving
• Change your mentality.
Remember, you can always enjoy these meals any day of the year. That mindset will help you from overeating.

• Make your own food.
There are plenty of good recipes out there that are both tasty and healthy. You can try this crustless pumpkin pie, lime chicken salad, and healthy deviled eggs as a side dish.

• Have some physical activity such as walking.
This gives you a break from sitting and eating.

• Mix protein with veggies. This combination will keep you satisfied.

If your host insists on handing you leftovers, accept it. However, this doesn’t mean you have to eat it all. You can share it with your friends or work colleagues.

Christmas
• Make healthy side dishes. This recipe looks good!

• Drink your protein shakes before you attend a party.

• Stay away from certain tables such as those for desserts or alcohol. Alcohol is high in calories but doesn’t really satisfy you nutritionally.

If you overindulge, forgive yourself. Don’t beat yourself up for eating a little bit more in one day.

Enjoy the holidays!

The New Life Team hopes these tips can help you enjoy the holidays while still keeping yourself on track.

New Life Center for Bariatric Surgery is part of Premier Surgical Bariatrics in Knoxville, Tennessee. New Life is affiliated with the Parkwest Center for Bariatric Surgery, part of Covenant Health Bariatric Services.