During holiday celebrations, food is often at the center at gatherings of friends and family. Andrea Delgado, a dietitian at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., says that by paying attention to how much you eat and how often, you can make healthy food choices during the holidays.
Delgado advises that right before the holidays may not be the best time to go on a diet. Instead, during holiday festivities, she suggests paying attention to how much and how often you’re eating, and to try to eat smaller meals rather than fasting before going to a party.
“When we skip meals, we tend to be much hungrier when we arrive at a party or social gathering,” Delgado says. “Eat a small, balanced meal or snack before going to the event.”
Try to choose the healthiest options at a holiday feast, but do not scold yourself if you do overindulge.
“It’s OK to make a plan moving forward for the next party,” Delgado says.
Staying hydrated is also important, and water is the best choice, she says.
“Often what we neglect most is staying hydrated, and we choose sugary beverages or alcohol, which can add a lot of added calories; empty calories that we can save by drinking water,” Delgado says.
Unfortunately, overindulging during the holidays can tip some people who were on the verge of a medical diagnosis into one.
“Maybe now we have a new diagnosis of high cholesterol or a new diagnosis of prediabetes or diabetes because, even though we only did it for a short period of time, it was enough that we were close enough to be diagnosed with these new conditions,” she says.
By paying attention to what you are eating, and how much, it is possible to keep healthy eating on the menu while celebrating holidays.
“Enjoy your holiday meal,” Delgado says. “There’s never an all-or-nothing approach in nutrition. You can still enjoy everything in moderation.”
