Ah the holidays- a time for eating and family, drinks and merriment… and that all too familiar guilt after you have indulged. Before you start to promise yourself you won’t do that this year, go ahead and decide you will indulge, but you will do so in a way that doesn’t leave you feeling guilty thanks to these tips for guilt-free holiday eating.
Choose healthier options
Green beans instead of smothered yams, roasted potatoes instead of mashed, turkey instead of turkey…. ummm, or some white meat instead of dark. The point is, healthier options will allow you the chance to still indulge and have fun while at a gathering, but you won’t feel guilty about too many calories consumed.
Eat smaller portions
Don’t have three slices of pie. Instead, have one and walk away from the table. You still get your dessert, but you can also eat it, too, without feeling like you just gained 10 pounds in one sitting.
Eat all day long
Yes- you read that right. Don’t jam pack all of your food into one meal. Instead, spread it out and watch your portions, but nibble on holiday foods all day long. It will actually help keep your metabolism and blood sugar boosted and level, while allowing you to enjoy the foods you have looked forward to all year long.
Keep exercising
One of the best ways to make sure you don’t feel guilty about the extra food intake is to keep the workout going. Don’t become a couch potato just because the weather is colder and your schedule is busier. Get off the couch and into the gym, so that when you do have one more slice of pie that you intended (it’s okay, we won’t tell) you don’t feel so bad about it because you know you are burning calories with your exercise routine.
Get in some extra cardio
If you want to make sure you don’t gain weight and yet still enjoy your holidays, ad din some extra cardio. Even one extra hour a week can help your image in the mirror reflect what you want to see, which makes eating those yummy holiday foods more guiltless.
Use a small, white or black plate
This is an old trick, but if you use a smaller plate in a white or black shade (off-white, grey, etc. work, as well) you will trick your mind into telling your stomach that you have eaten a good bit more than you actually have, so you can enjoy the food and not have the guilt of enjoying it later.
Elizabeth Lampman is a coffee-fuelled Mom of 2 girls and lives in Hamilton, Ontario. She enjoys travelling, developing easy recipes, crafting, taking on diy projects, travelling and saving money!
kathy downey
Monday 15th of December 2014
Thanks will have to follow your tips over the holidays
Victoria Ess
Tuesday 9th of December 2014
Oy it's holiday season again and a great time to re-visit these tips haha!
DARLENE W
Monday 24th of November 2014
Here comes the turkey and all the fixings. Better start walking now so you can head off some of those extra calories
Judy Cowan
Sunday 9th of November 2014
All great tips! The holiday season is often hard on the diet but I usually try to enjoy all the treats but in small portions.
kathy downey
Thursday 6th of November 2014
snacking all day will keep you from eating too big of a meal