It’s easy to visualize. There is turkey with dressing, potatoes with butter and sour cream, ham, candied sweet potatoes, casseroles, noodles, and scalloped oysters. Then come the cakes, cookies, candy, and pies.
These are just some of the delicacies you will find on the endless tables of the holiday season. You could weigh six to 10 pounds more by New Year’s Day.
Science comes to the rescue. Doctors at the University of Washington say your body is good at matching energy intake to energy usage. In other words, if you pay attention to how hungry you are, you’ll eat about as much food as your body needs.
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To avoid the temptation to eat it all, here’s some good advice:
* Select a combination of protein and complex carbs at each meal. The American Dietetic Association says a good breakfast would be a boiled egg, whole grain toast with peanut butter, and skim milk.
* Have a snack like fruit or some nuts and a big glass of water before you go to the feast. Don’t arrive ravenously hungry.
* Survey all foods at the table and choose what you really want instead of taking some of everything.
* Get some exercise, if not every day then specifically on the day of the big dinner. Exercise maintains hormone levels that help keep your appetite steady.
* Know the difference between boredom and hunger. With all the goodies available during the holidays, it’s easy to munch mindlessly. If you are bored, play a game or phone a friend. Don’t munch.
Eat sensibly and regularly, plan how to approach the feast, exercise, and you can avoid both temptation and weight gain.