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Friday, December 24, 2010

12 Days of Healthy Holiday Eating: Day #10 & #11

On the tenth day of Christmas, my dietitian told me…

Stop eating when you’re full!

At holiday meals, people have a tendency to keep eating just because the food is there. This is one of the reasons why people tend to gain weight over the holiday season. When eating dinner, try to enjoy and savor the foods you are eating instead of just shoveling in bite after bite. If you eat slower, your body will be able to better recognize when you are full. It takes about 20 minutes for your brain to register that your stomach is satisfied. Therefore, after eating dinner wait a while before going back for seconds. Let your body have time to decide if it really is still hungry or if your brain is just telling you to eat because food is available. If after waiting awhile you are still hungry then have another small portion or two of your favorite dishes, or have a slice of your favorite dessert. The holiday food is there for you to enjoy, not to stuff you to the brim.

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my dietitian told me…

How to walk away from the buffet!

The first few bites of any food provide you with the most pleasure. Savor those bites to the fullest and don’t go overboard. If you find it hard to know when to stop, here are some good ways to fight the urge to eat more than you should:

· Don’t sit right next to the appetizers, candy dishes, or cookie trays. This will tempt you to reach over for more food than you should be eating. Move around the house and find places where you can socialize.

· During the hors d’oeuvres and dinner, keep your mouth busy by talking with the friends and family you are gathered with.

· Chew on a piece of gum or a mint to prevent you from picking at the foods available. Eat a few hors d’oeuvres and then chew gum between that and dinner. After dinner, chew on another piece of gum before you dive into the desserts.

· The taste of toothpaste dulls the taste buds, so if you want to stop eating, find a way to brush your teeth.

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