Healthy Eating During the Holidays

Holiday dinners (or brunches), no matter how small they may be, can be a challenge for some of us who are trying to lose weight.

At New Life Center for Bariatric Surgery in Knoxville, we believe you can eat healthily AND still have fun during the holidays. The following tips can be helpful in achieving that:

Prepare a healthier holiday feast.
You can make this year different by preparing a healthier holiday feast. You can prepare a sweet and smoky cedar-planked salmon instead of the traditional Christmas ham, a Waldorf salad instead of the usual fruit salad, and a healthier bite-sized fudge for dessert.

All of these foods are delicious but are more filling and nutrient-dense.

Savor seasonal treats.
If someone in the family prepares a dish or treat that you like, savor it. Having a small amount of a treat once a year won’t ruin your weight loss efforts.

Choose your drinks wisely.
As much as possible, stick to calorie-free drinks such as water, seltzer, or tea. Alcoholic beverages often contribute to empty calories. Drinking too much of it can also lead to making poor judgments about food choices.

Eat until you’re satisfied, not stuffed.
Although holidays are only once a year, this doesn’t mean that you can go all out and eat until you’re stuffed. Eat slowly, chew your food well, and check your fullness levels while you’re eating.

If you’re already feeling satisfied but feel like eating some more, remember that there will always be leftovers.

We may often associate holidays with a lot of food and eating but it’s really being with the people we love that matters most.

Stay safe and healthy!

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