Have you recovered from Halloween and Election Day yet?
No?
Well, get it together fast… ’cause holiday season is in full swing. And I, for one, have already started bracing myself for the onslaught of fat and sugar-laden goodies.
As a good Southern girl (by birth, anyway), I love me some eggnog; but I also know how it makes me feel the next day. Sometimes I’m willing to take the pain with the pleasure; sometimes I’m not. Either way, I like to have options.
Here are some of my personal strategies for staying in control of my holiday food choices while still being the perfect party guest.
1. All alcohol is not created equal.
The calories in hard liquor – and the mixers that go with it – can add up quickly. (Not to mention make me incapable of stringing words together.) I stick with wine and beer at holiday parties. Or, if I’m feeling “cocktaily,” I order one glass of scotch on the rocks (yep… scotch girl 😉 and then switch to water and/or a cranberry juice and seltzer.
2. Replace sugary sodas with sparkling water like Pellegrino or Perrier.
Or if your host happens to be a “nutritionista,” try the kombucha. The natural “carbonation” in this fermented tea beverage usually cures my craving for something bubbly…and the probiotic cultures are good for the tummy. 🙂
3. Cookies, cakes, and pies. Oh my!
These innocent little baked goods are my downfall at this time of year, especially the chocolaty ones. One of my favorite sweet-craving tamers – with a nice ooey gooey texture – is Pure Bar Chocolate Brownie and Dark Chocolate Berry flavors. Toss one in your bag for brownie emergencies.
4. Swap cow’s milk for almond milk in your hot cocoa and chai.
The nutty flavor is a nice addition and will save you some fatty calories (I like the texture better than skim milk). Hot cocoa is a lower calorie replacement for creamy eggnog too, which can run you about 350 calories per cup! Try my Spicy Hot Cocoa for an extra kick.
5. Pumpkin, apple, or pecan?
Opt for pumpkin or apple pie instead of pecan if you’re watching calories. It pains me to say this because I LOVE pecan pie (with a little bourbon mixed in, of course); but this nutritional comparison doesn’t lie.
6. Sweet is best.
See that big ol’ bowl of mashed potatoes over there? Have the sweet potatoes instead. There’s nothing wrong with white potatoes, but mashed potatoes tend to be loaded with butter and cream. Sweet potatoes put the super in superfood, delivering antioxidants (beta-carotene), Vitamin C, and dietary fiber to your holiday-party-wearied body. And the naturally sweet flavor will do wonders for your sweet cravings.
7. Replace cheesy, creamy dips with hummus.
Not much more to say about that. Cream + cheese = saturated fat and uber calories. Hummus = “good” fat and a little protein. (Yum!) Salsa and black bean dip are other great, lower calorie options.
8. Bake better.
I have a few standard baking substitutions, ones that are subtle enough that people rarely notice. If you’re the chef, try these swaps: white flour for whole wheat flour (try Trader Joe’s 100% White Whole Wheat Flour); white sugar for turbinado sugar or sucanat; and butter for fat-free plain yogurt (or half butter/half yogurt).
Finally, these pre-party tips will head off overindulgence before you even set foot in the door:
- Stay hydrated! Have a glass of water (or two!) before you arrive. Dehydration often masquerades as hunger. Don’t let it trick you.
- Have an apple 30 minutes before you head out to the party. The fiber will fill you up without entirely spoiling your appetite.
- Be vigilant about managing your blood sugar throughout the day. Eat breakfast. Eat lunch. Have an afternoon snack. Arriving at a holiday gathering with your blood sugar in the toilet is just asking for trouble.
- Wait 10 minutes. Enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner; but before you go back for a second round, wait 10 minutes. Giving your brain a chance to catch up with your stomach will not only keep you from overdoing it but will make what you do choose to eat that much more enjoyable.
What do you do around the holidays to stay in control of your food choices? Share your best tips in the comments.
xo,
