Enjoying the Holidays Guilt-Free

It’s that time of the year again when most Americans are bound to gain an extra three to seven pounds of weight.

Let’s face it: Trying to eliminate such family traditions as turkey, stuffing, candied sweet potatoes and pecan pie on Thanksgiving is hardly practical.

And that’s just the beginning of weeks of traditional Holiday treats in the office, at cocktail parties and feasts shared with family and friends.

So why not develop a game plan early to avoid the weight gain and start the New Year healthy?

If you follow these few simple tips provided by health and fitness professionals and two working women, who are determined to keep their weight loss success on track during the Holiday season, you’ll be well on your way to a healthy and happy beginning in 2010.

Survival Tips for a Healthier Thanksgiving Dinner

To enjoy a guilt-free Thanksgiving dinner, consider these tips:

1. If you’re in charge of Thanksgiving dinner, visit ACE’s Healthy Recipes for Thanksgiving meal choices, including the Herb-roasted turkey, which comes in at 155 calories and 5 grams of fat per serving (without the skin); stuffing made with chopped veggies, chicken or turkey sausageinstead of butter and fatty sausage; sweet potatoes without the candy; and pumpkin pie in place of pecan pie, which has 480 calories a slice.
2. If you’re worried about food choices at the dinner table, bring your own low-fat or nutritiousparty dish.
3. Don’t skip breakfast or lunch on Thanksgiving Day as this is a sure way to overeat at the dinner table.
4. Remember our bodies aren’t meant to handle 2,000-3,000 calories all at once (the typical Thanksgiving meal packs about 3,000 calories) and will store excess calories as fat.
5. Control portion sizes: Draw a 12-inch dinner plate in your mind and divide it into three-inch-sized circles with each one representing one food group: proteins, vegetables and starches. The key is to stay within your circle for each food group. If you like turkey and ham, fit a little of both in one circle.
6. Be mindful of your alcohol intake: Mixed drinks tend to have a high amount of concentrated sugar and quickly add empty calories. One glass of wine may be reasonable, but remember alcohol contains 7 calories per gram, which makes it nearly twice as fattening as carbohydrates or protein.
7. Be active: Go for a bike ride, a long brisk walk, a run or spend at least one hour at your local gym to burn calories before Thanksgiving dinner. End dinner with a family walk around the neighborhood or some other form of physical activity (e.g., a game of touch football instead of watching it on the tube).