It’s that time of year again. The Christmas lights have started to come back out. You’ve broken out your favorite scarves and the annual string of holiday parties is just around the corner.
Though we may not all gain weight during this time of year, there’s no question that most of us tend to eat and drink more and exercise less. Between all of the shopping, dinners and parties, it can be hard to stay healthy. Here are some quick tips to keep your holidays jolly-in a good way-and cut some calories.
Bring a healthy dish with you to the parties.
Chances are there won’t be many healthy options at a holiday party, so bringing your own dish ensures at least one healthy alternative to all the gingerbread cookies and those Christmas tree zebra cakes we love so much. Plus…that makes you an awesome guest and guarantees future invites! Well, depending on your cooking abilities. For appetizers, try bringing a colorful fruit tray or a vegetable platter with a low-fat dip. Hummus, anyone?
Keep an arm’s length between you and the food table.
We’ve all found ourselves near the food table at a party. It’s hard to avoid it sometimes. There’s always tons of snacks that call your name, especially during the holidays when treats are abundant. Instead of hovering and munching too much throughout the evening, try filling a small snack plate and go mingle. Parties are for being social after all!
Eat before the party.
Eating before a party is always a good idea. If you arrive to a party hungry because you have been “saving up” your calories all day, you will be extra hungry and eat even more. Instead, eat small, healthy snacks throughout the day and be sure to drink plenty of water.
Watch out for sneaky liquid calories.
Alcoholic drinks and drinks with chocolate tend to pack more calories than you would think, so take them in moderation. It’s a good idea to start with a non-alcoholic or less sugary beverage to quench your thirst before you have your celebratory eggnog or hot chocolate. Remember, you can also request low-calorie diet mixers/chasers when possible so you can sip smarter.
Try to squeeze in a little cardio.
Between all of the holiday to-do lists and social calls, try to make a little time to break a sweat. This will help keep you energized and, ladies, will keep you looking good in your Santa lingerie. Ho, ho, ho!
Keep your portions small.
If you can, the easiest way to do this is by using a smaller plate. Then you’re forced to limit your helpings and leave some cookies for Santa.
Watch out for the dips and desserts.
These double Ds are silent killers when it comes to counting your calories during the holidays. People tend to pile on these delicious snacks without really thinking about it. Party dips tend to have a lot of calories, so be sure to limit your serving and always be sure to measure it out on your plate so you don’t keep dipping. Oftentimes, desserts like pastries come in small sizes so people don’t tend to think twice about eating these either. Don’t let their cute exterior fool you, though. Chances are if they taste good, they probably aren’t good for you. So eat them in moderation!
Divert your attention.
Either bring a friend to your holiday outings or make a conscious effort to be social with people there. If you’re bored or uncomfortable, you’re going to be more likely to nibble on candy canes all night to keep yourself busy.
Get a friend to agree to eat healthy with you.
The more the merrier! It’s always easier to be motivated when you have somebody else doing it with you, so try to get a friend to jump on board with you to stay healthy over the holidays. That way it becomes a fun challenge instead of a drag.
Skip the baking.
If you’re like most budget-strapped college students, baking often becomes an easy and economical way to give gifts. And if you’re like most of us, that means you probably eat many of your gifts. If this is a go-to for you, try making gifts where you compile baking ingredients instead. If you’re Pinterest-savvy, you can adorn your mason jar with festive bows to dress up your gift.
