How to Avoid Overeating during Holiday Seasons

Tips for Eating Less at Christmas and New Year’s Eve Parties

Dec 4, 2008

Make the effort not to overeat while having a great time at year end parties.

Christmas parties, year end parties, office parties, New Year’s Eve parties, etc. There will be so much food to feast on but only one stomach to handle it all. The consequence? Overeating and weight gain.

The very bad news is that the weight gain will roll over to the next year. And according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), the cumulative effects of yearly weight gain during the fall and winter can lead to substantial increase in body weight that frequently occurs in adults.

Not eating is definitely not a solution. The trick is to eat wisely. Here are some tips that may help.

Eat a Healthy Snack First

Before going to the party, munch on some fruits, wholemeal crackers or a hardboiled egg. When the stomach is not too empty, the likelihood of attacking food at the buffet spread or dinner table drops considerably.

Choose a Salad as Entrée

Greens are not only healthy but give the stomach a fuller feeling for a longer time. So ask for a salad with no or very little dressing to start the meal. If it’s a buffet function, pile up on carrot or celery sticks, salads and fruits first. Eat these first before going for the next round for the meat dishes.

Opt for Low Fat and Low Calorie Dishes

On a buffet table, there are bound to be healthier food choices for the health conscious. Forget the deep fried and fatty bounty. Go for grilled and baked options. If you must have something decadent, try something that is not normally served at other times of the year. And skip the sinful desserts later.

Get Smaller Food Portions

Ask for a smaller portion of the meal or use a small plate to control the amount of food consumed. If the portions served come in standard sizes, share a portion with somebody else. If sharing is not possible, just eat half of it. Don’t have the discipline to only eat half? Try sprinkling lots of salt and pepper on the other half to make it inedible!

Eat Slowly

Chew the food properly and count to five before swallowing. Then wait another five seconds for the next bite. Not only will you be able to savor the taste of the dish better, you will also give the body more time to digest the food properly. Another way to slow down eating is by putting the fork down between bites.

Drink Up

Plain water, that is! And preferably before eating the main dishes. Drinking water also gives the stomach a fuller feeling. This reduces the tendency to just dig into any food that catches your attention.

Keep Yourself Occupied with Other Things

Attending a party is not just about eating and drinking. It’s about reconnecting and socializing with friends and family as well. So mingle around and talk to others. Introduce yourself to people you haven’t met before and start a conversation. Leave the plate behind when you leave the table.

Imagine a Bloated Body

Whenever the temptation to go for more helpings strikes, try imagining a naked bloated figure! The mental picture is not a pretty sight and will be enough to put off eating for a while.

Eating wisely is key to stay at the right weight during the holidays. Don’t give in to cravings easily by snacking healthily, choosing low fat and low sugar foods, eating slowly, getting smaller portions of food, drinking plenty of water and keeping busy with other activities.

The copyright of the article How to Avoid Overeating during Holiday Seasons in Nutrition is owned by Wei Yin Wong. Permission to republish How to Avoid Overeating during Holiday Seasons in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.