Enjoying Holiday Food Without the Weight Gain Worries

What is your main concern about food during the holidays? Some may answer, 'Gaining weight!' or 'Enjoy now and worry later.'

Well, I am one of those people on both sides, until last year when my biggest accomplishment was not gaining a pound. This year, I am also planning not to gain weight while enjoying food. But how, when the last months of the year have the most celebrations? It starts with 'Trick or Treat' and Halloween parties, followed by Thanksgiving, then Christmas, and finally, New Year's Eve. In addition to that, although there should be just one day to celebrate each, each happens to have more than one! Whether it's celebrations at work, school, family gatherings, or with friends—you name it! What a challenge to sacrifice the richness of the food for healthy versions!

To achieve my goal, I will have simple strategies to stay focused. A little planning for what to eat during normal days and doing moderate physical activity for at least 5 minutes every 2 hours.

During the celebrations, I will keep in mind the USDA's (United States Department of Agriculture) 'MyPlate' to go easy on the portions and variety of the dishes. I will start filling my plate with veggies, then protein, fruit, and then the carbohydrates. If there are too many different dishes, I will put a spoon of each until I fill each section of my plate, and water will be my main drink. I will take small bites, slowly enjoying each one, and keep the conversation going by praising the person who prepared each food I am enjoying.

In the end, food is a way to celebrate, so I will eat with joy and no guilt during the holidays because I can be creative with healthy versions of the food I normally prepare all year round.