Thanks to an extra helping of the holiday party. You may have noticed that your jeans are feeling a bit snugger than they were at summer’s end. The next few weeks will be filled with parties. So rather than starting the New Year with some extra weight, we’ve rounded up four party survival tips from a few nutrition experts. This will help you indulge healthfully. So you’re not stuck mingling with a celery stick and a glass of water in hand all night.
Make Dinner a Priority
Many of us head straight from the office to holiday party so we tend to shove all the wrong types of food in our mouths because we’re starving! Make it a point to eat a well-balanced dinner (like grilled chicken and broccoli) before heading out to an early evening event where there will be passed hors d’oeuvres. Doing this means you’ll be less likely to overindulge later on empty calories that don’t provide your body with what it needs to function optimally, says Therese Bonanni MS, RD, CDN and nutrition consultant.
Be Decisive
While you might be tempted to head for the high-calorie treats like chips, cheeses, and desserts, remember the simplicity of healthy eating basics, says Vanessa Stasio, MS, RD and nutrition consultant for Eat Well Global . Make your first plate full of cut-up veggies, bean dips and salsa, and lean protein like chicken or shrimp. Then after that, you can go for smaller portions of the higher-calorie fare. You’ll be less likely to overindulge now that you’ve already filled up on nutrient-dense foods.
Forget Fasting
Fasting before a holiday binge is the wrong kind of plan. Starving yourself on a day you know you’ll want to overindulge will backfire, says KnowmoreTV.com nutrition expert Erin Palinski-Wade, RD. While avoiding breakfast and lunch may seem like a great way to save on calories. You’ll set yourself up for extreme hunger later which will lead to eating too fast and too much of the wrong foods. Instead, focus on filling up on healthy high-volume, low-calorie foods throughout the day. Such as fresh veggies and fruit, lean proteins, and low fat dairy.
Order it ‘On the Rocks’
At the bar, get your cocktail on the rocks. Melting ice will dilute a cocktail. Create more liquid providing a larger beverage that will ultimately take you longer to drink. And the longer a drink lasts, the longer before you’ll need a refill. Saving you one or two drinks by the end of the night. You can also use zero-calorie soda water as a mixer for liquor instead of a sugary tonic or juice for a savings of 60 calories per drink. And don’t be afraid to add ice cubes and soda to wine (wine spritzer) or ice cubes to champagne (piscine).
