Prepare Healthier Meals at Home to Avoid Seasonal Bulge

Every wonder why it is so hard to stick with your good habits during the winter holiday season? That's easy. Somewhere between the turkey and ham, the cranberry sauce, the cornbread stuffing, the gravy and biscuits, and of course the holiday cake or pie, you are apt to double or triple your daily intake of calories during a typical holiday gathering. The winter holiday season lasts for weeks with more meals, more parties, more surprises and more of everything. During the fall and winter holidays, you are likely volunteering for something, gift shopping for everyone you know, hopping from one party to the next but not cooking healthy meals at home or hitting the gym at sunrise. This can leave you feeling sluggish and uncomfortable unless you shed the surplus.

• ADD HEALTHY FATS - Fat is a nutrient, and like protein and carbohydrates, your body needs healthy fats for energy, to absorb other nutrients, and to protect heart and brain health. So, cooking with the right fats during the holidays will produce healthier food options.
• STAY ACTIVE - Focus your attention during the holiday season on the people. This is the time of year that you see most of your friends and family over a six-week period. Mingle at gatherings rather than anchoring anywhere near the food table.
• GET PLENTY OF SLEEP - Make your bedroom your sanctuary by minimizing holiday activities. Use another room to wrap presents and don't allow kids to sleep with you just because they are uber-excited about the holidays. It can actually disrupt both your night's sleep.
• AVOID LIQUID CALORIES - Alcohol is an elusive source of calories and drinking creamy holiday cocktails can be equivalent to eating a rich calorie-packed dessert. If you are trying to lose weight during the holidays, stick with water and it can make a huge difference.
• EAT WATER-RICH FOODS - Not drinking enough water during the winter holidays can lead to dehydration. While experts recommend drinking several glasses of water a day, you can also get it from the foods you eat. There are healthy foods at most parties and dinners that can contribute substantially to your intake of liquids.
• TAKE A STAND - If you naturally like to take a stance and are someone who draws a line in the sand as a commitment, plan to stave off feelings of deprivation by allowing yourself a holiday cheat. Just remember, there are only a couple of holidays and the remaining days of the week should be managed.
• EAT MORE FRESH FOODS - Fresh fruits and vegetables can add flavor, color and nutrients to your favorite holiday meals, snacks and treats. Eating more whole foods during the holiday can help you avoid the temptation to overindulge.

During the winter holidays, tempting food options lie around every turn. Although it is easy to overindulge, it is not impossible to enjoy your favorite seasonal treats while eating healthy and maintaining control of weight. The best advice for anyone on a weight loss journey is to adjust your mindset and attend all of your holiday events without the crappy attitude that you're missing out on everything. If you put on a little weight over the winter holidays, you're not alone. The good news is that you can shed the weight quickly by getting back on your pre-holiday routine, instead of setting yourself up for failure by being overly dramatic and relying on another New Year's resolution.

Whether you are trying to lose weight or maintain your existing weight for the holidays, Metabolic Research Center can help. Start by checking out our amazing holiday recipes designed to support healthy weight loss and without feeling like you had to deprive yourself of all the holiday fun.