Good Morning and Happy Sunday My Friends!
The holidays are upon us. The Mini Snickers have entered the building, peppermint mochas are teasing you with their nostalgia and limited edition fanfare. Pumpkin pie, sugar cookies, and eggnog are just waiting to strike.
Now, my goal is to you have you enjoy the holidays to the fullest and that does not include giving up Grandma’s revolutionary pecan pie or zooming past the stuffing. This is not about being chained to the treadmill and politely declining the sweet potato casserole as you begrudgingly nosh on your kale.
What I am proposing…is to just be MINDFUL? So what does that actually mean? It means that you get to enjoy a little of everything but not A LOT of everything.
Here are my Top 6 Tips for Better Portion Control:
- Focus on eating whole foods including protein, healthy fats and vegetables, until you are satiated (that feeling where you are about 80% full). Don’t deprive yourself since this always backfires, causing you to eat more food later in the day. Most processed foods have chemical additives that make it difficult for us to have just one serving size.
- Don’t skip meals. This is one of the biggest mistakes people make, and it can sabotage the best efforts. Start your day with breakfast (include some protein which will help you feel full longer) and plan ahead for lunch. It’s also a good idea to bring a healthy snack with you to get you through the afternoon before dinner. Portion control is very difficult when you’re starving!
- Using smaller plates can be helpful. When you put food on a large plate, you almost automatically want to try to fill it up and then feel like you need to finish it all. By using smaller plates (and bowls), you may find that you eat less but still feel comfortably full.
- When snacking, place the snack on a plate (or bowl) rather than eating right out of the bag or container. This is a huge help so you’re more aware of how much you are eating, and you can better manage your portions this way.
- If you’re out at a holiday dinner or party, and you feel like having dessert, just plan ahead. Order a smaller dinner (or healthy appetizers) and skip the alcohol, and enjoy a little dessert. It’s all about moderation and choices. Don’t feel like you ‘can’t have it’; just decide what you would enjoy more and make the choice… and enjoy.
- Last but not least, Slow down. By slowing down and enjoying our food more, we end up eating less. Remember to chew each bite more, relax and enjoy!
I hope these tips help and enjoy the holidays!
In Health and Happiness,
