5 Tips to keep the pounds off during Christmas

5 Tips to Keeping The Pounds Off During Christmas

I’ll be the first to admit it – I am not always a conscience, healthy eater (especially when it comes to sweets). I’ll shove five, six, seven cookies in my mouth without giving it a second thought. However, now that I’m pregnant, and I am not only eating for myself, but a little one too and I am seeing my stomach get bigger and bigger I am starting to put a second thought into those cookies.

For Christmas, my husband and I will be going to my grandma’s house, who is known for making enough food for an army, and there will be a variety of desserts, so I decided to be some research on easy ways to not overdo yourself on Christmas treats. Here are tips to keeping the pounds off during Christmas.

Drink a glass of water 10 minutes before you fill your plate

Did you know that your body can confuse being thirsty with being hungry? If you drink a glass of water before you eat, you’ll be less inclined to overeat. I also recommend if your drinking alcoholic beverages to have a glass of water in between each drink. This trick will help your body not to become dehydrated, so you don’t wake up feeling like you got hit by a freight train…been there, done that…

Eat Slower

This one is really difficult for me especially when I am super hungry, and the food is just delicious. It takes about 15 minutes for our bodies to receive the signal, “hey, I’m getting full,” so when we’re shoveling food into our mouths faster than we can chew it – we are all going to overeat. Focus on slowly eating and enjoying your food. Put your fork down after every bite, take a sip of water every so often, talk to your family and friends. You’ll end up feeling more satisfied and not wanting to unbutton your pants.

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Use a smaller plate

Trick your mind into thinking you are having more than you are. If you put a small piece of food on a large plate, your mind will tell you that you are eating a small portion and you will automatically put more food on the plate. However, if you put that same piece of food on a small plate, your mind will tell you that you are eating a large portion, and you’ll stop adding food.

Don’t arrive hungry

This one is pretty much common sense, but I’ll add it anyways as a reminder. Eat something before you leave the house. Once you arrive pass on peanuts, pretzels, chips, and other everyday snacks. Spend your calories on the special treats you really want. 

Keep one hand busy

There are always buffet style snacks no matter where you go for Christmas, so remember that glass of water I was talking about earlier? Keep it in your dominant hand so it’s less easy to grab for the snacks. Simple as that.