Build Habits Now to Avoid Holiday Weight

The holidays are fast approaching, and with them comes the seemingly inevitable holiday weight gain. In fact, your body might have already started to betray you due to the pandemic, spending more time at home, and maybe snacking out of boredom. But there are a few habits that you can build that will put an end to snacking, while also preparing you to enjoy the holidays without worrying about holiday weight.

Use a smaller plate.

It might seem silly, but using a smaller plate can really help you maintain your weight. Most dinner plates in the U.S. are much larger than they really should be. If you load up a full dinner plate, you are probably eating more than you need to. Go back for seconds, and you’re doomed. 

But using a smaller plate can change that forever. The smaller plate requires you to put only appropriate portions on your plate so that you don’t overeat. But because the plate is full, you still feel like you had a full meal and don’t feel deprived at all. It’s a nice way to trick your brain into thinking you ate more than you did.

Portion control is key.

We already mentioned portion control in the above section, but let’s go into it in a bit more depth. Did you know that your meat for a meal is only supposed to be the size of a deck of cards or about 4 ounces? Most people have much more than that. You can get some nifty portion dividers for small plates that will help you manage this more effectively.

Eat only when hungry.

Do you tend to snack throughout the day, especially during the holidays with all the goodies lying about? It’s easy to do, especially with foods like cookies and pies that aren’t actually filling at all, but will definitely pack on the pounds. Build the habit now to eat only when you are hungry, and you’ll graze less during gatherings.

Need help with weight loss or developing a healthy diet? Contact us today to schedule your appointment.