The holidays are upon us, and you know what that means – family, festivities, and perhaps most of all – food, food, and more food. If you are diabetic or just trying to watch your weight, it can be hard to maintain a healthy diet during this time of year.

Rather than deprive yourself of the joy of cooking and eating just to keep off the extra pounds, here are several ways you can indulge in your favorite holiday dishes and still stay healthy.

12 Tips for Healthy Holiday Feasting

Whether you’re hosting a holiday get-together or attending a party, you may not be able to control what foods are available to you, and you’re certainly not going to merely stand aside while others treat themselves to tempting delicacies. It’s not a question of resisting temptation, but of moderating your input and choosing wisely. Here’s what you can do:

• Eat around the time you normally do. This will keep your blood sugar level steady. If a meal is served later than usual, have a small snack at your regular mealtime and then eat less when dinner is finally served.
• If you are invited to a party, bring a healthy dish that you can share. If you’re doing the cooking, find healthy alternatives to everyone’s favorite dishes. There are tons of tips online on how to cut fat and sugar from dishes.
• If sweet treats are offered and you help yourself, be sure to have fewer carbohydrates, such as potatoes or bread, during your meal.
• Do not skip a meal just to build an appetite for a full-course feast. You’ll be especially hungry and more likely to overeat.
• If you do overeat – or cheat on your diet – make sure you resume your healthy eating with your very next meal.
• At the buffet table, prepare your plate wisely. Try to fill half your plate with healthy vegetables, a quarter with carbs, and a quarter with protein. Start eating vegetables first to help curb your appetite.
• Give your brain time to realize that you’re full by eating slowly.
• Avoid or limit your alcohol consumption, especially if you are on medication. If you do drink, have it with food to help moderate your blood sugar levels.
• Choose foods you love but can’t get at other times of the year. Just be sure it is a small serving and that you take time to savor it. No scarfing down allowed!
• Stay active. Regular exercise and other physical activity not only help reduce holiday stress but also help burn calories when you eat more than usual. For example, after a holiday meal, take a walk with friends and family.
• Make sure you get enough sleep – at least seven to eight hours per night. Visiting others and staying up later during the holidays often means depriving yourself of much-needed rest. That, in turn, can lead to overeating and a preference for high-fat and high-sugar foods.
• Remind yourself that the holidays are not only about food! Focus more on having fun and celebrating with loved ones, rather than on food.

Weight Management Physician Near You in Weatherford, Texas

At Alpha Care Wellness Center, Dr. Catherine Oseni helps many of her clients in the Dallas/Fort Worth area learn the basics of healthy eating. As a clinical integrative pharmacist who is board-certified and fellowship-trained in integrative and functional medicine, Dr. Oseniis a highly qualified weight management expert who offers a 30-day plan that can help you achieve balance and move towards your healthiest lifestyle by creating an individualized diet, supplementation, and exercise program tailored to your health needs.  By gaining control of your eating habits before, during, and after the holidays, you can gain control of your weight, health, and energy.

To learn more about our 30-Day healthy eating program, call Alpha Care Wellness Center today at (817) 550-6332 or schedule a wellness consultation with our convenient online form.