Holiday Eating Tips

Little Johnny Joke:

Little Johnny refused to eat.  So his mother, in desperation, took him to the psychiatrist, who tried many methods, to no avail.  The psychiatrist asked, "What would you like to eat?"

"Worms" Little Johnny said.  The psychiatrist was gleeful as he sent his nurse for a cupful.  Placing them on a plate, he said, "Here they are."

"I want them fried" was the response.

The nurse took them and had them fried.  When presented with them, Little Johnny replied that he only desired one.   The psychiatrist took one and in a strong voice said, "Here is only one.  Now eat it."

"I only want half and you eat the other" was the reply.

The psychiatrist swallowed one half and gave the other to Little Johnny. Just then Little Johnny began to cry.

The doctor asked what was wrong.  Little Johnny said, "You ate my half!"

Unlike Little Johnny, eating worms is not on our holiday menu. As a matter of fact, a warm, fuzzy worm casserole would be rather easy to avoid.  This is not true for the many other choices on our tables during the holiday season.  Staying committed to eating healthy meals is very challenging for most people on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day.  These holidays are typically festive and it is easy to veer off track and stick to a "low fat, low cholesterol, low sodium, low to moderate carbohydrate" meal plan.  Ugghhh!, not for the holidays!   It is possible to enjoy your holiday meal without the remorseful, guilty feelings that we feel when we over-indulge.

• Plan ahead.  Know when you are going to attend parties, dinners, land festivities with family, friends, relatives and co-workers and be prepared to mentally deal with the with the fact that  the temptation to over-indulge will run high on these days.  Stick to your healthy meal plan in between these days.

• Eat holiday foods outside the home.  Try to avoid having these foods readily available by bringing them into your home. 

• Exercise.  Gather a friend or two and take a 15-30 minute walk. 

• Take your medications.  This is NOT the time to "forget" to take your daily medications as prescribed.

• Volunteer to bring the sugar-free beverages (diet soda, powerade lite, crystal lite, sugar-free kool-aid, tea or lemonade sweetened with artificial sweeteners such as Splenda or Equal).  Don't drink your carbs because they reduce they limit the carbs you should have from solid foods.  

• Bring healthy snack foods (veggie and fruit tray, walnuts/almonds, or a cheese tray) so that they will be available for you and others to enjoy.  Remain conscientious of "sampling and tasting".  Every bite counts.

• If you overindulge in food with your first plate and desire to eat more then choose meats and nonstarchy vegetables as your second helping. 

• Choose your battles and dodge the guilt.  If you fall off the bandwagon, then get back on the next day.

• If you are hosting the dinner then ask family, friends and relatives to take left over plates.  

• Enjoy your holiday.  Laugh loud and often with your family, friends, and relatives.  Who knows, this may be the last time ...  Peace!

•  View my website:  http://visionsofcontrol.com/default.aspx

 "An optimist is a person who starts a new diet on Thanksgiving Day."
~ Irv Kupcine