when entering into the holidays, the one thing that is an issue is balance. most will go into the holidays creating parameters and rules of what they should or should not be eating. they should not drink alcohol. they should not eat pie. they should eat more vegetables. and before you know it, you have a list so long that you don’t know where to begin. but you ask – why should you have so many restrictions?
life is about finding balance. it is not about finding more ways to restrict, eliminate and create constraints
so here are some do’s and don’t for the holidays. Enjoy!! 
DO remember it is a holiday – one day, not a holiweek. So go ahead and indulge some, but keep it to that day.
DO eat smaller meals thru the day to keep the hunger at bay. If needed, make your meals just a salad of green vegetable with some high quality proteins.
DON’T skip meals trying to save up for dinner. You might eat everything on the table and feel like the bottomless pit. We call this the Sumo wrestler diet where you starve all day to save up for dinner. You can really pack on fat mass this way which is not necessarily a good thing.
DO choose your carbs wisely. Choose root vegetables over grains. If choosing grains, limit them to ½ cup serving. This will also mean if you have potatoes and cornbread stuffing, you should not eat the pie, You may want to have all of them, but then eat less of them – ½ serving of each?
DO eat the pie or dessert but only a sliver, not a whole piece. If that is too hard, then split the dessert with someone else or two other people. Everyone else is watching their weight, too!
DON’T have more than 2 glasses of alcohol per day. Alcohol is like pure sugar. It can spike the blood sugar; it can make you more hungry and less able to control your food choices and intake.
DO drink your water! We tend to forget we still need to keep hydrated in cooler temperatures. Water helps to flush out toxins but also helps keep hunger at bay. Try to drink 60+ ounces per day but not with your meals.
DO make half of your plate vegetables – mostly green and dark leafy green vegetables. This includes green beans, asparagus, kale, chard, arugula, romaine and all lettuces, sugar snap peas, Brussel sprouts and cabbage.
Do load your plate with veggies first, then proteins then starches. Half your plate should be vegetables, a quarter protein and the last quarter your starch. Try to get vegetables and protein for second helpings rather than more starches. Remember, you DO want to eat dessert!
DO make as many items as you can ahead of time, so you are not rushing the last minute for dinner. Plan ahead and get people to help you. It can help to share the cooking duties and have your guests bring a dish for the meal. If you are asked to bring something, bring a vegetable platter!
DO use half the cheese, butter, and sugar in your recipes. This includes vegetables, casseroles and desserts. The flavors will be there without the added calories. If needed, use reduced fat, but fat-free is usually filled with other unnecessary ingredients that are no longer food items.
DO find time to sleep! Sleep deprivation is the key to putting on weight or keeping weight on. It causes stress and more sugar cravings. Take a nap if you have to. Sleep is your friend!
DO say ‘No’ if need to. You are not being selfish. You need to take care of you! Too much on the schedule and you will just be exhausted and unable to participate in all the fun.
Holidays are a time to celebrate our health and happiness with our family and friend. Using these expert nutrition suggestions will help keep them a holiday without the guilt of gaining weight. and if you need more, go to www.n-im.net for your personal nutrition coaching session to dial in a program for you specifically.
Like that you point out that it’s a holi-DAY not holi-WEEK !
such a simple thought, but one day becomes two, then a week then a month! those little reminders can help 🙂