Kori Deibert, Faculty

Holiday festivities are right around the corner and that means it’s the season of family, celebration, and lots of food. It can be hard to resist our favorite holiday recipes that adorn Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas like pecan pie, latkes, and sampling everything on the buffet table. But consuming 200 extra calories a day can strain the waistline causing you to gain two to three pounds over a five-to-six week period. Below are some simple tips to help you enjoy the holidays so you don’t have to deprive yourself the delicious holiday favorites.

1. Eat before you go. Excessive hunger promotes overeating.

2. Drink lots of water. Drinking water before a meal can help increase your feeling of fullness.

3. Don’t put everything on your plate. Start by taking a walk around the buffet table to look at all the options.

4. Add color to your plate. Include bright colored fruits and vegetables on your plate. Make it your goal to fill half of your plate with these bright and vibrant colors.

5. Before getting seconds, wait 10 minutes. It takes 10 minutes for your stomach to signal to your brain that you are full.

6. Pull out your walking shoes. Take a walk before eating or between dinner and dessert.

7. Don’t stand next to the buffet or appetizer table to prevent mindless eating.