Holiday Helpful Hints
 

As we all know the holidays are just around the corner. Yak'em wanted some hints on staying on track during the calorie overload. I will start with a few tips that I am going to be working on. Feel free to add to the thread with some relevant information.

I am going to exercise the morning of Thanksgiving and Christmas to counteract the calories. I think someone said earlier to eat more protein because it makes your muscles burn fat. There aren't too many better sources of protein than poultry. It may be good to fill up on the turkey instead of all the side items. These are just a few tips that I can think of off the top of my head. Again, these are just opinions that I have I am not an expert.

A few more tips
 

1. Be realistic! You are not going to lose weight during the holidays. You want to just try and maintain the weight loss you have achieved prior to.
2. When going to parties eat a light snack before you go (piece of fruit or raw vegetables).
3. Savor your holiday favorites and eat small portions.
4. Alcohol can lessen inhibitions and induce overeating. So drink in moderation or not at all.
5. If you overeat at one meal go light on the next.
6. Eat turkey breast without the skin.
7. Eat slowly and savor all your food.
8. Chew gum or get a mint and drink a tall glass of water to fill yourself up.
9.
Cooking Ideas
1. If you cook gravy put it in the fridge to harden the fat so you can skim it off the top.
2. If you make dressing use less bread and more onions, garlic, celery, and other vegetables.
3. To moisten your dressing use low fat low sodium chicken broth.
4. Instead of green bean casserole use fresh green beans and chunks of potatoes. Use almonds on top instead of fried onions.
5. For mash potatoes use skim milk, chicken broth, garlic or garlic powder, and parmesan cheese instead of milk and butter.
6. When making pumpkin decrease sugar by half and add more cinnamon, nutmeg, or vanilla to increase sweetness.
7. Instead of cured ham try a fresh pork loin with herbs and spices.

A holiday recipe:
Cajun Spiced Mashed Sweet Potatoes for Four (From Foodfit.com)

2 large Sweet Potatoes (peeled and cut into 2" squares)
1 tbsp lime juice
1/3 skim milk
Cajun Seasoning to taste
Salt to taste

Place sweet potatoes in pot and cover in cold water. Boil sweet potatoes on high heat. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes until they are soft. Drain them well. Mash potatoes and add lime juice stir well. Add milk and stir well. Add cajun seasoning and salt to taste.

how do what i did last year.... drink till you puke :puke:
ha ha but no! Great advise! We use the charbroil, best turkey fryer out there! It's a oil-les fryer, cooks quick, not bad because no oil your drowning it in, also it comes out JUST like fried turkey! Crispy skin and so juicy inside!!!!!

I will be offshore for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The food sux out there. It's like being punished or in prison.
So, don't worry about me for the holidays.
I will be eating canned tuna and ham sandwiches.

just thought this thread could use a bump. Maybe some people didn't see it.

Brown Rice....

Mayonayse made with Olive oil....

Any one has tried em? I heard they were alot healthier than the white rice, and regular mayo.... and taste pretty good to..

We have been using light mayo at our house for the last 4 years. I think it tastes just fine. Every part of losing weight is a change in lifestyle. If you want to lose weight you will be willing to accept the food choices it takes to lose weight. If you fight alternatives it just means you are not ready to make the change.

Well said