Butler VA Health Care System

Norman Rockwell's Famous Thanksgiving Holiday Image

The holiday season is a time for family, friends -- and food. It is the one time of the year when the image of unfastening the belt to make room for all the edible goodies is thought of a good thing. Unfortunately, bad eating habits today leads to difficulty losing weight at the start of the year. Some smart eating habits now will help control blood sugar, reduce risks of diabetes and heart disease AND still enjoy the holiday feast!

1. Avoid foods you are not motivated to eat. Don’t eat out of politeness or because "it is there."
2. Portion control. Prepare a small dish of food. If you are still hungry, you can always go back for seconds. Try choosing a smaller plate.
3. Take your time. Eating too quickly doesn’t allow the body to register the amount of food that you have eaten. Stuffing your face quickly leads to overeating. Wait 20 to 30 minutes before a second helping.
4. Add veggies. Fill each plate with a large portion of vegetables. This will reduce the calorie intake and add healthful choices to the plate.
5. Don’t come hungry. Skipping a meal in preparation for the holiday feast can potentially lead to gorging.
6. Avoid drinking calories. The holiday cocktail or stuff eggnog may bring rosy cheeks, but also a lot of empty calories. Trade off alcohol and sodas with an occasional glass of water to stay hydrated and save a few calories for desert!
7. Leave the leftovers. Overcooking can lead to yo-yo trips to the kitchen for a “quick snack attack” for the leftovers. If you are the host, offer up as much food as possible to the guests. If you are a guest, try to only accept the non-fatty foods if offered.

 To learn more about living a healthier lifestyle go to http://www.move.va.gov/.