Slow Down and Enjoy You Food

For the holiday, slow down your eating. In other words take more time to eat and really enjoy what you're eating. By eating slowly, you are likely to eat less. This also gives your brain time to turn off the "hunger" button and you are less likely to feel too full or like you've eaten too much.

If you have a fast eater, you are likely to consume more food because your brain doesn't tell you you're full until after you've eaten way too much. So just take it easy and really enjoy what you are eating.

The side benefit here is that you get to eat some of those favorite foods and you may actually consume less and not gain weight through the holiday!

Three Rules to Help You Decrease Calories

If you really don't want to gain weight during the holidays, read yesterday's post and here are three other pieces of advice to help.

One, be sure to eat 3 meals a day with protein at each meal.

Two, if you're going to a party, eat something before you go like a couple of whole grain crackers and cheese - be sure you have a little protein. Then drink 20-24 ounces of water.

Three, when you get to the party, avoid the foods that are dippable (or at least avoid the dip) - eat the raw veges. Avoid the foods that "you can't eat just one."

This will make you holiday party fun without you overeating! Enjoy!

Did you over eat yesterday?

I should have written this before Thanksgiving. Did some of you feel like you over ate yesterday? There is a trick you should know about. Some of you belong to the clean your plate club. If you are one of these individuals, get a smaller plate.

Secondly, so that you don't feel like you over ate, eat very slow. Talk between bites and really savor every bite. This is important, because your brain takes about 20-30 minutes to tell you that you are full. So if you throw as much in your mouth as possible in the first 20 minutes, you will definitely over eat and feel uncomfortable. Eating slowly is a gift you can give yourself.

Eat only 3/4 of what is on your plate. Remember the adage that our eyes are bigger than our stomach. Kind of true. You will feel mush better. If you can't get a smaller plate, try spreading things out instead of stacking them up. You'll end up eating less and feeling better.

Also, consider not eating dessert right away. Wait a couple of hours to eat dessert. You will enjoy it more and are less likely to feel stuffed if you do. If you are the host or hostess, consider waiting to serve dessert until later. Your guests will really appreciate you and your dessert more.