Don’t Start Your New Years Off The Wrong Way!

It’s that time of year again – the holiday season is in full swing and we’re doing everything we can to prepare ourselves, our homes, our families, and our wallets for what always makes for a joyous – albeit hectic – time of year! And remember, with all of the fun, love, happiness, and festivities comes the one thing that we all have in common – food! Avoiding the prototypical holiday weight gain doesn’t have to be a struggle. This year, you can continue to enjoy all of your favorite foods, but without the added weight!

Instead, you can feel free to indulge in all of your favorite appetizers, foods, snacks, and homemade treats this holiday season without having to worry about going into the new year with a few extra pounds. Here’s everything you need to know!

Don’t Fall For The Old “Saving My Appetite” Tactic
This tip is officially a falsehood! In fact, deciding to save your appetite until dinner time can actually wreak havoc on your metabolism. While you might think that it’ll allow you to avoid wasting your calories on breakfast or lunch, it actually influences your perception into your actual hunger level. Skipping breakfast or lunch can cause you to overeat later, ultimately resulting in a slower metabolism and weight gain.

Choose Protein Over Carbohydrates
As with any healthy diet, proteins should always be chosen over carbohydrates. Proteins pave the way for healthy muscle growth, they provide the body with a healthy energy source, and they’re more easily broken down as opposed to carbohydrates. So, should you decide to go a little extra this holiday season, do it with proteins like turkey, chicken, or meat!

Savor Every Last Bite
With all of the excitement and anticipation, it’s easy to scarf down your meal in the blink of an eye! But as it turns out, being mindful of your eating pace actually pays off. Not only does it allow you to fully savor every last bite for a wholesome dining experience, but it also gives your body the chance to catch up, so that it can more effectively measure fullness.

Veggies, Veggies, & More Veggies!
It cannot be understated just how important vegetables are throughout the holidays. The chances are high that you’ll be filling yourself with carbohydrates, starches, sugars, and meats, which leaves little in the way of the fiber that your body craves for a healthy digestive system. By including veggies with every meal, you’ll not only satisfy your appetite with more wholesome foods that carry a ton of benefits, but you’ll also fill your body with the much-needed fiber that it craves, so that it can adequately and effectively digest those big holiday meals.

Watch The Booze!
Obviously, it’s the holiday season, which means it’s okay to have a drink or two to celebrate with family, friends, and loved ones. However, booze adds unnecessary calories to your diet – especially wheat-heavy beer and sugary cocktails! Enjoy yourself, but remember – everything in moderation!

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