Water Rich Holiday Foods Can Help You Stay Hydrated

Fall marks the time when the leaves begin to change color and many adults look forward to overindulging in seasonal foods for at least six weeks. But, the actual weight gain (around a pound for women and two pounds for men) is likely much less than what you've heard. Regardless of your willpower, the holiday season is super challenging for anyone wanting to lose weight and stay on track. So, not gaining weight can seem like a daunting task. Nonetheless, you can plan to make those excess pounds disappear before your year-end decorations are packed away. Before putting the first item of food on your plate, create a strategy for how much you plan to eat. Indulge in an occasional favorite but avoid extra calories from mindlessly sampling everything available.

• CONSUME FRESH FOODS - Experts agree the key to weight control this time of year is to have a strategy from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day. Moreover, the best way to ensure a weight-loss friendly dish will be at the party or dinner you're attending is to bring one that's favorable with your holiday eating plan.
• MODIFY HOLIDAY RECIPES - Modifying your recipes is an easy way to control the amounts of added sugars and fats, which lead to weight gain during the holiday season. By flavoring dishes with herbs, spices and extracts instead of sugars, salt and butter, you can better manage your caloric intake without sacrifice to your holiday spirit.
• DRAW A LINE IN THE SNOW - Decide ahead of time that you are going to enjoy certain seasonal foods. After all, eating off the grid once or twice a year will not break your weight loss program. Nonetheless, make sure you take time to taste, savor and enjoy your special treat.
• ENJOY FRIENDS AND FAMILY - Although running errands is not the same as jogging, the more active you stay the better off you will be as you work your way through the six tempting weeks of the Holidays. If possible, shovel some snow, go sledding, take a relaxing hike or hit the ice rink for some holiday skate time.
• GET PLENTY OF SLEEP - Inadequate sleep has been linked to lower metabolism. This may be caused by alterations in your circadian rhythm, which is your biological clock that regulates many bodily functions including the release of hunger hormones.
• WATCH FOR LIQUID CALORIES - Soft drinks are a primary source of empty liquid calories in our culture. Americans drink twice as much sugary soda as milk and nearly six times more soda than fruit juice. Fact is, if you are craving something sweet, you're better off eating it rather than drinking it since solid foods are better at curbing appetite.
• EAT MORE WATER-RICH FOODS - Fresh fruits such as apricots, blueberries, oranges, peaches, pineapples, plums and raspberries contain over 80% water, whereas melons like cantaloupe and watermelon have some of the highest water content exceeding 90 percent by volume.

The winter holiday season can be difficult when everyone around you are letting their hair down and festively partaking of food and drink. Unfortunately, people tend to use illogic to get themselves off the hook for weeks of overindulgence instead of what they eat during an actual holiday. Keeping your commitment to yourself is a little easier as long as you try to be as good and stick to your plan of what you have chosen to enjoy, and when. Enjoy your holidays but achieve your weight loss goals with an effective eating plan for food and drink. Whether you achieve your goals, or just come close, it will give you another reason for celebrating your holiday cheer.

At Metabolic Research Center online, we provide a stellar collection of lower-fat, less sodium alternatives for your traditional Holiday favorites so you can always celebrate the holiday in a tasty and satisfying way. Visit us now and schedule your free weight loss consultation at a MRC near you.