During the Christmas season,
summer and its body-conscious state of mind are
distant memories. Hearty indulgence in the many
foods shared at Christmas therefore doesn't produce
the same feelings of guilt. Nevertheless, its not a
pleasant thought to start the New Year carrying any
extra pounds. So why then eat yourself into a
resolution to 'take off a few extra pounds' if you
can smartly avoid it?
Whether it's sharing cookies and candies at work, or
having an evening out at a party or dinner, you can
have Christmas food and enjoy it. While you seem to
be eating heartily with a smile, the key is to have
a secret strategy of moderation. It involves
sticking to a plan that can be called 'Eating on a
Budget.'
'Eating on a Budget' is not about the cost of what
is eaten, but about the quantity of what is eaten.
It is important that a 'budget' or eating in
moderation plan is developed because it is almost
impossible to avoid exposure to a lot of cookies,
candies and other sweets at Christmas.
At work, you
may risk appearing like the Grinch who stole
Christmas if your response will always be something
like, 'Uh..no..bah humbug' all the time that some
Christmas goodies are offered. It will seem as if
you aren't in the spirit of the holidays especially
since at that time of year everyone is usually in a
festive and more relaxed mood, and the pace at work
is usually slower.
A practical way to partake in Christmas goodies, for
example, is to substitute some holiday cookies for say the bagel
that you usually have with breakfast or for a
mid-morning snack. And instead of just taking one
cookie, from the platter, which is noticeable and
likely will encourage a colleague to tell you to
have more, take three instead.
That's where
the plan can come into play. You can then enjoy the
cookies over two or more hours, because nobody will
be watching how you really eat. You can always have
a few candies, one cookie or
a cookie and a half by your desk and that way it
will seem as if you are heartily enjoying the holiday treats.
Another strategy is to bring - bake or buy - low
calorie Christmas cookies and candies to work to
counteract others that are being offered. Since
eating healthy is highly encouraged,
health-conscious cookies will not be looked down
upon so long as they taste great. A box of
sugar-free Christmas chocolate candies for example
will look just as delightful as regular chocolate
candies.
It's interesting to note that in a poll sponsored by
the National Confectioners Association in 2004,
chocolate was the favorite food gift that Americans
said they preferred to receive for the holidays. The
lowly and much maligned fruit cake was last on the
list. The second favorite holiday food gift was a
fruit basket and a plate of cookies was third on the
list, according to the Association.
For an occasion such as a Christmas party or a
dinner, including Christmas Dinner, where larger
quantities and selection of food is available, the
'Eating on a Budget' plan means that serving
portions and the choice of food selected should be
carefully watched.
At a party where more desserts and sweets are likely
to be available, a few of the selections can be
sampled. If the urge to try everything can't be
resisted, then do so, but then second helpings have
to be severely limited. The same is somewhat true
for Christmas Dinners. One big difference is that
the food served during Christmas Dinner will be
heavier, so by selecting portions wisely, one can
always say truthfully that the stomach is full.
And indeed, after a sumptuous Holiday Dinner, your
body is likely to be full from food and your soul
full of joy from sharing another memorable holiday
tradition with family, friends and loved ones.