by Sheila Attebury

Created on: September 09, 2008   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

Strategies for Healthy Holiday Eating

It's the holidays, calories don't count! A great phrase to give myself an excuse to pig out. I've used it many times. Unfortunately, I soon discovered how untrue that statement is, as evidenced by the extra poundage on my post-holiday hips. Granted, the holiday season is not a good time to be on a diet. That is why I always set a goal to avoid gaining weight instead of trying to lose weight around the holidays.

One of the most difficult obstacles to maintaining a healthy weight is avoiding the party buffet. Here are some ideas that work for me.

Before the party:

If I fill my belly before leave the house I am less likely to overeat at a party. I try to eat and/or drink something that will keep me feeling full for several hours. Sometimes I drink fat free broth or eat a serving of vegetable soup. One of my favorite pre-party meals is spaghetti squash with jazzed-up jarred spaghetti sauce. The squash gives me a full feeling and the sauce keeps me satisfied for a few hours.

1 spaghetti squash (1-2 lbs)
of a medium onion, diced
of a red or green bell pepper, diced
1 jar of low fat, low sugar jarred spaghetti sauce
pound lean ground turkey
Italian herb seasoning of your choice.

Cut spaghetti squash lengthwise into two pieces and scrape out seeds.

Place the two squash halves in a glass baking dish and add about a cup of water to the dish. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave on high for about 8 minutes or until desired consistency.

While squash is cooking, saut the onion and bell pepper in a medium sauce pan until tender. Add ground turkey and cook until browned.

Add the jarred spaghetti sauce and herbs to taste. Simmer until heated through.

Carefully remove the spaghetti squash from the microwave, be very careful peeling back the plastic wrap as the steam can burn your hands.

Using a dinner fork, scrape out the flesh of the spaghetti squash. The squash will resemble strands of yellow spaghetti noodles. Scoop out the desired amount of squash onto a plate, add sauce and enjoy.

While at the party:

If I am attending a party with a friend, we make a pact to keep an eye on each other and provide positive diversions. If one of us is moseying to the sweet table too often the other will steer her toward a non-food related area of the party.

When I arrive at the party, I will pop in a piece of mint chewing gum. The gum keeps my mouth food free and I can be confident that I have minty fresh breath.

If I simply can't resist the buffet table, I allow myself to enjoy my favorite treats, in moderation. I try to choose wisely and savor what I take by taking small bites and chewing thoroughly. I take only one plate, the smaller the better. Once I discard the plate, I'm done eating.
Although I am inherently shy, I try not to be a wallflower. Socializing keeps me distracted and away from the desserts. I also keep my hands busy. I hold a glass of water and/or some other small object like an evening bag, car keys or small toy. Sometimes this can even be a great conversation starter.

When the party is over:

In between holiday gatherings, I attempt to keep my diet in balance by making healthy food choices. Lots of fruits and vegetables and high fiber foods help me feel full and eat less. During the holidays, I stay away from sweets and desserts as much as possible so that I can enjoy these treats with less guilt at gatherings and dinner parties.

I also pump up my exercise routine to burn those extra calories I eat at all those holiday parties.

If all else fails, there is always a new years resolution!

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