Life and Health Coach
In my last blog, I gave tips on how to prepare for indulging at holiday parties. Today, I’d like to give you 5 tips on how to enjoy party food guilt free.
- Don’t arrive at the party hungry. Have breakfast and lunch and take a handful of nuts before you leave the house. In addition to antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, nuts have healthy fats and fiber, which help you feel fuller longer. The healthier of the nuts are almonds and walnuts.
- Although peanuts have very similar benefits and characteristics as nuts, they are not nuts. They are legumes. Also, in spite of the healthy benefits, peanuts have a high fat and therefore high caloric content so the intake should be controlled.
- Don’t run to the appetizer table. By not arriving hungry to the party you won’t be hitting the appetizer table immediately when you arrive. Instead, you’ll be ready to move around enjoying the company of those around you and being present in the moment for you, your family and your friends.
- Alcohol – be selective. The healthiest alcohol is no alcohol at all. However, if you decide you want a drink, don’t just pick up any drink. Think about what you’re picking up. For example, wine v. liquor – red or white?
- Red wine is healthier than white. Although both have almost the same calorie and carb count, red wine wins over white on higher antioxidant count, lower on sugar count, and higher on mineral count. And of the reds, stick to Pinot Noir with the highest level of resveratrol.
- Not up for wine – prefer liquor? Go for the clear liquors like vodka or gin. Without the mixers they are both easy on the carbs and calories. An alternative to the mixer? Add a splash of water instead.
- Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate. Water before eating, after eating, and between drinks helps curb your appetite, helps control the drinking and helps reduce the effects of the morning hangovers.
- Please note hydrating doesn’t give you permission to get behind the wheel. If you drink, enjoy yourself, and hire a car to drive you home.
- Visit the buffet table twice – YES twice. On your first visit to the buffet table, choose the greens, vegetables and proteins. On the second visit, go for the starches and dessert. Results? More than likely you will be too full to visit the buffet table the second time around. But knowing you can, you will hold off on overloading your plate on the first visit. If you do visit the table a second time, you will be choosing the starches and desserts on a full stomach.
I hope these tips will help arm you to brave the bars and buffet tables at the holiday parties while letting you enjoy yourself guilt free!
All of us here at Coral Gables Counseling Center wish you a very blessed and enjoyable Holiday.
