Top Tips to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain and Belly Bloat

We often look forward to the comfort foods of the holidays. Sometimes these foods are very filling and can leave you feeling sluggish and bloated. Here are my top five simple tips for avoiding holiday weight gain and beating belly bloat!

• Stay hydrated. Drink water before you start with hors d’oeuvres and the main meal, and you’ll be less likely to overeat. Remember, we often mistake hunger for thirst, so ensure you are hydrating your body every day, with the suggested goal of half your body weight in ounces of water. If you aren’t there yet, ease up to the amount with 8-10 ounces more every 3-4 days.
• Eat a healthy snack beforehand. Don’t arrive at a gathering starving or you might scarf down all the cheese and crackers upon arrival. Instead, have a satiating snack full of protein, healthy fat and fiber before heading out. This can be as simple as an apple with almond butter, carrots or celery with hummus or a plan yogurt with chia seeds and raspberries. This will help you make better choices and follow tip #3 more easily.
• Choose mindfully. Before you fill your plate, check out all the options available and decide which foods are ‘worth it’. If the stuffing is made by Stove Top, that might be one to avoid, as you can buy that any time. However, if your Aunt Sally makes the best mashed sweet potatoes with marshmallows, that might be worth the indulgence. And, if you try something and don’t really like it, it’s okay to stop eating it. Remember, it’s better to go to waste, than end up on YOUR WAIST!
• Talk between bites. Don’t focus solely on eating during the holiday meal. Instead, take breaks between bites to engage in conversation. This will help you eat more slowly and allow time for your brain to receive the signal that you are full – long before you over eat.
• Walk it off. Did you know that walking after you eat aids with digestion? Before you hit your food coma, get out the door and take in some fresh air and walk around the neighborhood. In addition, walking for 10 minutes after your meal can reduce your blood glucose levels as shown in this 2016 study. (1)

Having a plan is so important when it comes to managing your healthy eating habits during the holiday season. Follow the tips above to avoid holiday weight gain – and avoid feeling like a stuffed turkey!

Black Friday is starting early…. 

Grab the December 13th Reset for the LOWEST price of the year!

Limited spots available. Join now to secure your spot.

Feel your best before the holidays and have a healthy jumpstart before the holiday temptations show up at your table.

Here are the soups that are being offered for the December Reset:

• Butternut Squash
• Curry Chickpea
• Lentil and Spinach
• Sweet Potato Black Bean

Don’t wait – grab your spot today!