The Holiday Diet: Can You Have Your Cake & Eat It Too?

How can you enjoy the holidays without gaining that holiday weight?
Even though you've worked so hard to get (and keep) your summer body, the holidays are in full swing and threatening your recent success. Food is everywhere; temptation lurks.

But, eating and drinking too much throughout the holiday season can be extremely rough on your body.

Did you know that 75% of Americans' weight gain takes place during the holiday season? In fact, the average American gains between 0.5 and 1.75 pounds during this time of year.

A National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey follow-up study found that among adults 25 to 44 years old, the body weight measured at 10-year intervals increased by an average of 3.4 percent in men and 5.2 percent in women.

Wow.

So, how can you enjoy the holidays while still staying healthy?

If you're concerned with what will be served at a holiday party -- especially if you have diabetes -- or if you're just watching your weight, it's not a bad idea to contact the host of the party. If you feel like you'll want to dive in the dessert, appetizers and drinks, you may want to consider bringing your own healthy snacks. And, it's also important to stay active. Not only will it keep your weight consistent, it also helps reduce your stress... something that can be a real issue this time of year.

What are some other tips you can follow to stay healthy during the holiday season?

Dr. Catherine Marco discusses how you can enjoy the holidays and still ward off the dreaded holiday weight.

Additional Info

  • Segment Number: 4
  • Audio File: ER_101/1449er5d.mp3
  • Featured Speaker: Catherine Marco, MD
  • Guest Bio: Dr. Catherine Marco currently serves as Professor at the Wright State University Department of Emergency Medicine. She serves on the board of directors for the American Board of Emergency Medicine. Dr. Marco has also served on the national ACEP Ethics Committee since 1997, and chaired the Ethics Committee 2001-2004.

    She has served on the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) board of directors, and has served on the SAEM Ethics and Constitution and Bylaws Committees.

    Dr. Marco has been active in the education, research and writing arenas. She has published numerous research manuscripts and book chapters on medical ethics, resuscitation, airway, and pain management.
  • Length (mins): 10
  • Waiver Received: No
  • Host: Leigh Vinocur, MD