If you’re trying to lose or maintain your weight over the holidays, indulging in your favorite not-so-healthy foods cannot only sabotage your weight goals, but can also leave you riddled with guilt. If you’re like me, the holidays bring some of your favorite indulgences—cookies, cakes, pies and chocolate.
Follow these 5 simple tips to enjoy the holidays with guilt.
1. Indulge in Moderation
Allowing yourself to indulge without guilt on not-so-healthy foods only works if done in moderation. If you know you are going to indulge at the company holiday party or your friend's Christmas party, go ahead and enjoy some of your favorite not-so-healthy foods, but try and keep the rest of your meals that day healthy.
2. Be Mindful
When you decide to indulge, make sure you’re enjoying your special treat. So many of us eat unconsciously and therefore don’t even enjoy or taste our food. Go ahead and have a treat but slow down and taste, savor and enjoy every bite.
3. Indulge Only in the Best
Are you eating the stale cookies your kids brought home from their classroom holiday party? Did you eat that peppermint cake even though you would have preferred chocolate? I find that if I indulge with something that is only slightly satisfying, my craving never goes away but if I select only my favorites, even just a small taste can satisfy me.
4. Say “No Thank You”
When you’re at a party it easy to feel like you have to try everything. It can be especially difficult to turn down food when the host of the party is offering it to you. Remember that it’s okay to say “no thank you.”
5. Drink More Water
Staying well hydrated is the best way I know to curb my cravings. Thirst is often mistaken for hunger making you eat more. Drink water throughout the day and try having a sparkling water between each alcoholic drink when at a party.
Follow these five simple tips for a guilt free holiday. Remember, you can have your cake and eat it too, just as long as you do so in moderation.
