Tips For Handling Holiday Parties

When you are attempting to lose some weight and be healthier during the holidays, those parties can be your downfall. You want to enjoy time with friends and family, but the temptation of treats and delicious cocktails can make it much more difficult. Here are some tips for handling parties and still losing weight.

Go For the Meat & Veggies First

Try to fill up on the healthy meat & veggies before going for other foods. If the holiday party doesn’t have a big meal, but just offers snacks and appetizers, there is probably a meat & veggie tray and some type of fruit dish. Put these food items on a plate and eat them all with a bottle of water, then wait a few minutes before deciding to eat anything else. In many cases, this is enough to satiate your hunger and even feed those sugar cravings you are having.

Add Snacks to a Plate

One of the worst things you can do at a party when you are trying to lose weight is to stand next to the food. Grab a small plate if they are being offered and put some healthy food items on the plate. Walk away to another area of the party to socialize and have your snacks. If you stand by the food, you are not only more likely to start dipping chips in the dip, but it is a lot harder to keep track of exactly how much you are eating. You might be surprised how quickly you can down 20 chips and dip or eat several pieces of fudge without even realizing it.

Try to Avoid the Sugar Laden Cocktails

Cocktails are often a bad idea when you are at a holiday party as they often contain added sugars. Plus, when you drink alcohol, it can increase your cravings and make you more inclined to go for all the bad stuff. And if you start drinking early, it is probably not going to be your only drink of the night, so if you want to drink at the party, try to wait and not have it immediately upon arriving.  Either nurse a drink all night or wait an hour or so before treating yourself to a cocktail.

Socialize Instead of Eating

A good plan for avoiding the food and not over-indulging is to socialize instead. Take this opportunity to talk to friends and family you haven’t seen in a while, mingle throughout the crowd, and meet new people. Ask a small group if they’d like to go on a walk with you and socialize while burning some extra calories.

Don’t Skip Meals

Skipping meals to “save” your calories for the party is a common trend during the holidays. This idea of “saving room” for the will get us in trouble as we tend to eat so many more calories than we would have otherwise. So be sure to consume your regular meals leading up to the party as you normally would, even if you decrease on your portion sizes a bit on those meals. Eating beforehand will decrease your chances of arriving too hungry and overeating…leading to a tummy ache.

Bring a dish you can eat

I always recommend bringing a dish or two with you that you can eat and will still be enjoyed by all. I always love bringing jalapeño poppers as an appetizer and they are always a hit! It’s always great to know there will be some “safe” foods to enjoy while you’re enjoying time with friends and family.