Skip to main content

Natural Awakenings Naples and Fort Myers

Ten Tips to Avoid Seasonal Weight Gain

Dining out during the holiday season should be festive—not fattening. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, it’s easy to put on an extra three to five “ho-ho” pounds, which can impact more than our waistline. According to the Arthritis Foundation, research has shown that with every pound gained a person puts four times more stress on their knees and six times the pressure on their hips.

Avoid overeating when dining out during the Christmas season by following these 10 suggestions.

 

  1. Start with soup (avoid the cream-based varieties) or a salad (dark green leafy with olive oil vinaigrette).

 

  1. Order an appetizer (or two) for an entrée.

 

  1. Bread and butter are the enemy. Tell the waiter not to bring it.

 

  1. Stick with turkey or salmon, which are high in protein.

 

  1. Skip the carbohydrates and order an extra serving of vegetables.

 

  1. Drink plenty of water to fill up.

 

  1. Be mindful of mixers when imbibing. Have a glass of red wine in the middle of a meal or even at the end, for dessert.

 

  1. Choose a fruit-based dessert.

 

  1. Follow the three-bite rule: Share your dessert or have only three polite bites.

 

  1. Watch portion sizes. Studies have shown that over the past three decades, restaurants’ portion sizes have increased by a whopping 700 percent.

 

Resource: Vivian Ebert, DC, LivingWell Chiropractic, 10020 Coconut Rd., Ste. 134, Bonita Springs. For more information, call 239-498-2225 or visit LivingWellFl.com.