The holidays are filled with fun events, delicious food and quality time spent with friends and family. But all the parties filling the calendar can also take a toll on our health. From late nights out that steal hours of sleep, to imbibing on (one too many) cocktails, to eating heavy foods that leave us feeling bloated and sluggish — there are no shortage of obstacles to navigate for those who are trying to keep their diet and fitness a priority.
Luckily, enjoying the holidays and emerging from the season with your health intact isn’t an either/or decision. Registered dietitian Vanessa Rissetto shares her top tips for living in the grey area: That is, enjoying holiday parties and everything they have to offer (yes, even the cocktails and sweets), but in a way that keeps your health a priority.
You don’t have to go to every single event
First of all, be picky about your RSVPs. “Just because somebody invites you to something doesn’t mean you have to go to it. You should pick and choose whatever is aligned with your goals,” Rissetto said during a TODAY segment on December 6. “If weight loss is your goal, and you have five drink events and dinners, you can pick two to go to, or you can stay for only 5 or 10 minutes. There’s a lot of different ways for you to handle that so you don’t have to go to every single thing.”
And if you do have to hit all three holiday parties, a happy hour and a cookie swap in one week, Rissetto suggested following one rule: the sum of averages. “Make the choice not to drink at every dinner or omit the dessert at them if you’re choosing to drink,” she said.
Don’t arrive hungry
Always eat something before you go to an event. This is key to preventing overeating. “Make sure that you have protein and fiber, and a little bit of fat. That could look like a full meal before you leave your house … something like chicken, vegetables and maybe some potatoes,” said Rissetto. “Or let’s say you’re going to eat…
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