Preventing Holiday Weight Gain

Studies have shown that individuals gain the most weight during the winter holidays which
cover mid-November to January. These are the times where physical activity decreases and
consumption increases, which is the main contribution to weight gain.

There is a way to approach holiday eating without sabotaging a weight-loss program. First, plan plenty of activities for which food is not the primary focus. And, when food is an important part of the celebration, it helps to:

• Change some traditional holiday habits can keep a diet going without having to give upholiday treats altogether. For example, a person can make a list of favorite
  holiday food and then pick two or three to enjoy this year.
  
  Another technique is to eat holiday treats in smaller quantities. Such as
  baking a small-size cake that the family will finish at one sitting with no tempting
  leftovers. Or, use low-calorie, low-fat substitutions for rich ingredients like sugar,
  butter or cream.
  

• Get help from family and friends--Whatever changes you decide to make, it’s important to ask family members and friends to respect these choices and to refrain from tempting the dieter with other holiday goodies.

• Find activities that reduce the holiday stress that often leads to compulsive eating. Sometimes the stress of the holidays causes people to eat more than usual. If that’s the case, it helps to seek out friends and family for support and to engage in activities that produce feelings of contentment or happiness.

For additional tips on reducing calories and fat during the holidays, or if you have specific medical concerns about your meal plan, consult your health educator provider for advice on maintaining a safe weight-loss program during the holiday season.