How to Cheat a Little, Not a Lot at the Holiday Party

I thought this was an excellent post at Calorie Count and had to share it.

By carolyn_r on Dec 14, 2010 10:00 AM in Tips & Updates

By Carolyn Richardson

It’s that time of year when companies go out of their way to sabotage your healthy nutrition plans.  The annual holiday party almost never involves a focus on healthy food and drink, so we all need a refresher on denying eating every item served at this free for all feast.  We have all heard the adage everything in moderation, but a good holiday party defense for overeating, or shall we say over-cheating, has to be specific to be effective.  Put on your warrior hats boys and girls: we can survive the biggest temptation the rest of this year has to offer.

Big Spoon, Little Spoon
Use a big spoon to eat the foods that will make you full, and the little
spoon for the delectable ones that will only please your taste buds.  Big
spoon vegetables, meat dishes, and fruit salads.  Little spoon macaroni and
cheese and dressing, as well as any sauces like cranberry sauce and gravy.

Make One Plate Enough
While most will treat the holiday party as a buffet, do not go for seconds.
While there is no scientific research to back this, I can personally say
that the second plate is always filled with the less healthy faire that I
cannot get enough of and has absolutely nothing to do with my hunger.  Use
the time that everyone is standing in line for seconds to mingle and
socialize.  Ask for a mineral water at the bar with a hint of fruit in it
and make like your drinking.  One plate is enough any other day.

Eat Now, Drink Later
The college student in you knows this rule, but as an adult you may have
forgotten that to keep you from drinking too much, and to assure you stay
hydrated and sober, eat first, and drink later.  The UK’s Food Agency
website, gives some practical tips for controlling how much you drink which include avoiding salty snacks like chips and salted nuts and adding water and
non-alcoholic drinks throughout the evening.

Desert the Dessert Table
Give yourself a cut off for sampling desserts.  I did say sampling.  When it
comes to desserts, do not get a full serving of any of the desserts that are
high in sugars and low in nutritional value, rather sample a few small
slivers of each one and cut off revisiting once you have had a taste of each
one.  This will be hard as you see your co-worker going for his third piece
of pie, but the mirror and the way your body feels will be thanks enough
come the next morning.

The Countdown
Prior to the party, consciously plan to leave at a certain time.  As the
party is winding down, it’s easy to let boredom invite you to enjoy another
plate.  And quite honestly, after 3-4 hours in one place, you may genuinely
have a corner of your stomach that would like to eat.  Avoid this by
planning to leave before this happens.  Most, if not all of these people
will be at work the next business day, there’s no reason to be the last
person there.

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