Suddenly -- and seemingly without warning -- holiday parties with unlimited booze and food are just around the corner. The ability to hide a few extra pounds under multiple baggy layers may seem appealing; but before you let all your hard work go, there might be healthier way to enjoy the holiday season.
Did you know the average American gains between 0.5 and 1.75 pounds a year? A National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that among adults 25 to 44 years old, body weight measured at 10-year intervals increased by an average of 3.4 percent in men and 5.2 percent in women.
Even though the gluttonous foods surrounding you may be tempting, the key to keeping holiday weight off is eating healthy and remembering portion control throughout these few months. Yes, it can be a challenge; but you'll be glad you stuck to it when the month of January comes around.
Swapping out foods during holiday parties can be a smart way to keep your weight and eating in check.
For example, instead of serving mashed potatoes, you might want to consider using a mash and roasted cauliflower dish. Instead of white potatoes, swap them for sweet potatoes with the skin on. Sweet potatoes are less fattening and have tons of vitamins and minerals. Instead of ranch dip for veggies or chips, use a Greek yogurt. Not only will this save calories, but the protein and fiber will help keep you from mindless snacking. Another food to consider swapping is candied yams. Instead, try baked squash with a drizzle of natural honey and cinnamon.
Other Eat This & Not That Swaps:
- Instead of white potatoes, try yams with the skin on.
- Instead of mashed potatoes, try half white potatoes and half pureed cauliflower.
- Instead of candied sweet potatoes, try roasted butternut squash.
- Instead of canned cranberry sauce, try cranberry chutney.
- Instead of pecan pie, try pumpkin pie.
- Instead of cheese and cracker appetizers, try cut up veggies, hummus and roasted red pepper dip.
- Instead of roasted nuts and trail mix, try raw almonds, pumpkin seeds, walnuts and pecans.
- Instead of beer, try dry red or white wine.
- Instead of regular stuffing, try whole grain stuffing.
- Instead of butter or oil for basting, try low sodium vegetable oil mixed with white wine.
- Instead of cream of mushroom or celery soups for casseroles, try low fat plain yogurt with sauteed celery or mushrooms.
- Instead of green bean casserole, try sauteed green beans.
- Instead of apple pie, try apple crumble.
Executive Personal Chef, Christopher Strachan, discusses how you can make food swaps to create a healthy (yet tasty) holiday party menu.
Christopher Strachan is an Executive Personal Chef with extensive experience and top-notch management skills. Chef Strachan works for Lucida Treatment Center.