Holidays are Coming- Get your Healthy Food Plan in Place

Step up to the buffet line at a holiday party, look over the food selection on the menu, survey the spread of food options at the family gathering, or decide what to serve your guests for dinner. If you’re like most people, you’ll be doing this a lot between now and New Year’s. And if you want to keep your weight under control, you need a game plan.

Keep your daily calorie goal in mind. If you’re trying to maintain your weight, or lose weight, being mindful of the amount of calories you consume can help. All of the meals, entrees, and side dishes available at MagicKitchen.com, include important nutritional information to help you stick to your health eating plan. Reading food labels, or using a mobile app that provides nutritional info about the foods you eat can help too.

Eat light before a party or big meal

When you know you’ll be going to a dinner party, meeting up with friends at a restaurant after hours, or attending a family gathering with food, make it a point to eat lighter earlier in the day. Eat a light breakfast like a piece of fruit and whole grain toast, or try the Cheese Omelet with Hashbrowns and Broccoli. Do the same for lunch and go with something like a leafy-green salad, bowl of soup, or MagicKitchen.com-made Portion Control Meal.

Don’t deprive yourself. There’s a reason most diets don’t work. When specific foods (especially ones you like) are off-limits or restricted, it’s tough to stay away. Too often, the end result is a favorite-food binge-er loaded with calories that tips the scale in the wrong direction and leaves you feeling defeated. Instead, make it a point to eat healthy most of the time, and give yourself permission to enjoy dessert or less-than-healthy snack from time to time. You might even consider choosing a healthier MagicKitchen.com dessert, like our Lemon Tarte. At 144 calories and 7g of fat per serving, it’s a wallop of flavor for a relatively small amount of sin.

Exercise regularly. You don’t have to take up running, power-walking, or weight lifting. But regular exercise, at least 30 minutes a day, can have a major impact on your weight an overall health. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends getting at least 30 minutes of exercise to maintain a healthy weight, and 60 minutes or more to promote weight loss. Make it a point to take short walk breaks throughout the day. Or plan to go for a walk, hike, or even stroll through the mall after a big meal during the holidays. Make it a family event!

Eating healthy to manage your weight doesn’t have to be hard. With a plan, smart foods choices, self-discipline, and regular exercise, you’ll still be happy with the number on the scale when the New Year arrives.