Drink More Water to Reduce Holiday Calorie Consumption

Does your waist usually pay the price for your merrymaking during the winter holidays? Well, without a good strategy, researchers say you can consume more than 4500 calories at a single holiday gathering. Nonetheless, planning for the holidays can make all the difference. Even though you take pride in your willpower, the winter holiday season holds unique challenges for everyone. Staying on track with your weight loss or weight control program can seem daunting but, for most people, it is equally as challenging to avoid feeling deprived. Overindulging in food during the winter holidays is not only common it is one of the great enjoyments in life. After all, one day of overeating should be relatively easy to overcome. Unfortunately, most people experience about six weeks of overindulgence and between one to five pounds of weight gain.

• DRINK MORE WATER - Recent studies found that when people drink more water throughout the day, they end up consuming fewer calories at the end of the day. It never hurts to sip on decorative glass water at a party to ensure you meet your daily quota while avoiding excess alcohol.
• PORTION FOOD SIZES - Since holiday meals tend to be quite large, a common mistake is eating too large of portions for what is perceived as healthy. Although it is important to include nutrient rich foods on your plate, all food types should be consumed in moderation to avoid overindulgence.
• CONCENTRATE ON YOUR MEAL - Although you may not be able to control what food you're served, no food should be on your naughty list. You are bound to see others eating, so choose dishes you really love and can't get any other time of year. Eat in moderation to avoid guilt while satisfying your food craving.
• FASTING WORKS FOR THE HOLIDAYS - A recent study focused on the advantages of intermittent fasting and the results indicated a significant reduction in harmful belly fat (visceral fat) that builds up around organs. Nonetheless, schedule your intermittent fasts to offset the harmful effects of overeating during the holidays.
• GET PLENTY OF REST - 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.
• AVOID 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.

It is very important to remember what the winter holidays are all about. Celebrating and connecting with friends and family should make it easier to focus on having fun with less focus placed on food options. 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. You're not; so enjoy building healthy holiday memories with family and friends. There are a lot people that do not get to celebrate the holidays with overindulgence in food and drink; and they live happy lives. Remember to stay focused on what you're thankful for as well as what you have.

Metabolic Research Center's Recipes Section for weight-friendly options for pumpkin spice pancakes, easy crock pot brownies, apple pie cheesecake, caramel corn or vanilla bread pudding to make your winter holidays special. Don't wait until next year. Stop by today and get started on the road to success while enjoying your winter holidays.