Holiday weight gain isn’t inevitable

With the holiday season under way, bountiful meals and holiday treats will be on the menu for the next few weeks. But this season, don’t let those tasty treats take a toll on your waistline.

Holiday weight gain, while common, isn’t inevitable. Follow these tips from registered dietician Julie Shertzer of Indiana University Health Center, and you can enter 2007 without a few extra pounds.

First, enjoy your favorite treats. Depriving yourself of all of the holiday goodies simply won’t work. Let yourself eat those treats that you really love.

“There’s no need to fear that a little bit of pie is going to lead to automatic weight gain,” Shertzer said. “An overly restrictive mentality is likely to backfire by making you feel deprived and leading to overeating later on. Give yourself permission to eat the things you really love and savor the tastes and textures.”

However, limit your indulgence to the foods you really enjoy. Rather than sampling everything on the table, stick to those appealing foods that you don’t have every day. You’ll actually eat less and feel more satisfied if you only eat your favorite foods.

Likewise, control your portion size. The more you put on your plate, the more you will eat. Serve yourself just enough to satisfy your hunger and taste buds, and you’ll avoid overeating.

Also, remember to eat before you are starving. When you’re starving, you’ll have difficulty knowing when you’ve had enough, which can lead to overeating. To avoid this, have a snack before attending a gathering, and you’ll be able to control your hunger when it’s time to eat.

Finally, realize that one big meal isn’t going to ruin your diet.

“Refusing to beat yourself up for one slip-up is the smart thing to do for your diet,” Shertzer said.