As a kitchen cabinet and kitchen design company, we realize that holiday get togethers often revolve around the kitchen – and food! We also realize that many people are trying to eat better these days – and so are we!  So we’ve given it some thought and looked to others for advice.  Our favorite nutritionist,  Nicole Cormier,  has some great tips,  which I’m repeating here with her permission.

Holiday
Survival Guide:

Goals:

1. Eat breakfast everyday with a lean protein, fruit and whole grain
2. Drink more than 64 ounces of water per day
3. Eat more than 5 FULL cups of vegetables and fruits per day
4. Move at least 30 minutes per day
5. Eat a snack before you go holiday parties
6. Bring a healthier appetizer or dish to the party

RULE #1:
Limit yourself to 2 toothpicks. Consider each toothpick at your holiday party to equal 100 calories.

RULE #2:
Go every other with the alcoholic beverages. Instead, try a sparkling water with a lime in between. Since one shot or drink over the rocks equals 130 calories, you could  eliminate hundreds this way.

RULE #3:
Fill half your dinner plate with vegetables first, then add the other foods. This way you still have a full plate, but just cut your calories in half.

RULE #4:
Make a plan for the next day. The most common mistake is to get stuck eating the same foods for days after a holiday.

RULE #5:
Try not to stand directly next to a spread of appetizers while socializing. If you try to make your way around the room, you will be less likely to mindlessly consume empty calories.

Nicole Cormier, RD, LDN

Do you have any tips of your own that you’d like to share?  Feel free to leave a comment.

This entry was posted in Holidays on December 5, 2011 by THblog.