This is a really fun time of the year, but it certainly comes with its fair share of challenges. Some of us have annoying relatives who want to stay over for a week, and others have to put up with co-workers who insist on singing Christmas carols all day long and off-key. And don’t even get me started on the hit our wallets can take while shopping for the perfect gifts which are supposed to show our loved ones just how much we care.
But resisting the urge to overeat is perhaps the biggest challenge of all.
Temptation just seems to be lurking everywhere. Thankfully, there are some ways to avoid overeating (though I unfortunately have no suggestions on how to make your relatives disappear).
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1. Don’t skip meals. I always hear people say that they are going to “save up” before a party or big dinner by essentially not eating all day long. However, skipping meals just slows down our metabolism and sets us up to overeat once we finally have some food in front of us. Try eating a breakfast that is rich in fiber instead, such as oatmeal, and stick with some lean protein and vegetables for lunch. These foods are a healthy way to stay satisfied until your event.
2. Fill up on veggies. Before I go any place where there will be lots of food, I always snack on fresh vegetables like carrots, cucumber slices, and celery sticks. They fill me up, so I am less likely to pig out on cheese and crackers later on in the day.  If the thought of plain vegetables isn’t appealing to you, here’s a seasonal hummus recipe that tastes wonderful when used as a dip.
Pumpkin Hummus
1 15-ounce can of chickpeas
1 15-ounce can of pumpkin
1 clove of crushed garlic
1/4 teaspoon of cumin
1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon of sea salt
2 tablespoons of tahini
Juice of one lemon
1 tablespoon of olive oil
Add all of the ingredients to your food processor and blend until smooth. Sometimes it will come out a bit thick, so you can add a tablespoon of two of water until you’ve reached your desired consistency. Refrigerate before serving.
3. Choose your splurges wisely. If you’re not a huge fan of pecan pie, why eat it? Spend your calories on foods that you really and truly love. There’s no sense in wasting all of that hard work you put it at the gym for foods that you don’t even care for all that much. If you’re at a party that is serving 5 of your very favorite desserts, just sample a little bite of each, so you don’t feel deprived.
4. Drink lots of water. Yes, water will fill you up, so you won’t eat as much. However, it is also a calorie-free alternative to alcohol and heavy caloric beverages. If you absolutely must have your cocktail (and I cannot say that I blame you), just be sure to swap out a dessert or that extra helping of mashed potatoes.
5. Work the room. If you stand by the buffet table all night long, you’ll most likely pick at it constantly. Why not walk around, socialize, and spend some quality time with your friends and family? After all, that is the true point of the holidays.
Follow these tips, and I guarantee that your skinny jeans will still fit once all of the celebrations are over!
