Worried about Holiday gain?

[Guest guest]

Keeping Holiday Weight in Check

Enjoy the holidays by using your head.

By Dennis Jr.

Medically reviewed by Niya , MD, MPH

Cakes. Pies. Cookies. Fudge. Eggnog. Buffet tables filled with rich foods.

It's no wonder many people feel holiday weight gain is unavoidable. But

experts say you can still enjoy the holidays without abandoning healthier

habits.

People generally gain about a pound during each holiday season, according to

researchers from the National Institutes of Health. The problem is that this

annual holiday weight gain tends to add up over the years and can eventually

lead to obesity.

So watch what you eat, says nutrition expert Keri Gans, while keeping in

mind that falling off the wagon once during the holidays doesn't mean you

should give up on healthy eating and maintaining your weight for the entire

season.

" Remember that a holiday is just a day, " says Gans, a nutrition

consultant in New

York City and a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. " It's not

a holi-week, it's not a holi-month. For one day, it's okay. Just remember

the following day is a new day, and it's back to healthy eating. "

Tips for Avoiding Holiday Weight Gain

* Tackle the buffet table with a plan. " Always survey

the buffet table first and then get in line with your plate and choose the

things you really want, including healthy choices, " Gans says.

* Position yourself away from the hors d'oeuvres.

" Stand away from the hors d'oeuvres, " Gans advises. " If you're near them,

you'll eat one. If you stand away from them, hopefully you won't. "

* Have a snack before you go to a party. " Most people,

knowing they're going somewhere, will not eat during the day, saving up

their calories, " she says. " That's a nightmare waiting to happen because

you'll end up eating too much because you're so hungry. "

* Bring a healthy dish with you. If you're going to

someone's home for a potluck or buffet, bring a low-fat, low-calorie

offering. " Be the one who says, 'I'll bring a vegetable,' or 'I'll bring a

salad,' " Gans says.

* Engage in the leftover battle. If you're at someone

else's house, don't leave with leftovers. If you're throwing the dinner

party, send everyone home with leftovers.

* Talk at parties, rather than eat. Gans encourages

party-goers to " use the time to catch up with friends and family, not just

to eat food. "

* Keep up your normal exercise routine. You'll be able

to relieve holiday stress, burn excess calories, and avoid weight gain.

Wiseman, one of Gans's clients, says that deciding to follow a

healthy eating plan has already put her in good position to avoid holiday

weight gain. " Take

things in moderation, " she advises. " Eat something, but watch

your

portions. Taste a little sliver of cake or sip of eggnog, and that way

you've had some and you can get on with your day. "

Remember, you can still enjoy holiday goodies - just use your head before

you open your mouth.