For many of us, food is an integral part of the holidays and nostalgic family gatherings. But after all the dinner parties, cocktails and office gift baskets it’s easy find yourself five pounds heavier come January. We asked a health expert for some basic tips for how to enjoy the holidays with a healthy balance.

Holiday Party – Fuel Up

A ravenous person is rarely a rational person. Make sure to eat a protein-packed breakfast and lunch before a holiday party to avoid over-eating. Also, to prevent the mid-party sinking spell, avoid the sugar-loaded drinks like eggnog and instead, opt for red wine or a basic mixed drink like a vodka and soda.

Christmas Feast – The Five Minute Rule

A typical Christmas dinner has around 3,000 calories. That’s more than the average person needs in a day. Go ahead and enjoy that traditional experience but eat slowly and savor the meal. Also, steer clear of eating two days worth of calories in one sitting by waiting five minutes before you go back for seconds. You’ll likely discover that you’re actually satisfied and can wait until the next day’s leftovers for more.

The Office – Wait Until The Afternoon

Your break room has probably already been converted into a holiday gift basket showcase. A piece of fudge, a sugar cookie and a couple of cheese straws can push the size of a typical meal. Wait until the afternoon to check out the sampler and look for something like roasted almonds.

This entry was posted on Sunday, December 27th, 2009 at 8:38 am and is filed under Health & Fitness, Knowledge.