The holiday season presents a host of challenges to those who are trying to stick to a healthy eating plan. It can feel like food and drinks are at every turn, and it may be tough to say “no” again and again.

Plus, the added stress that seem to coincide with the holidays can make stress eating much more tempting, and cravings much more difficult to overcome.

But, with a little preparation, you can sail through the holiday season guilt-free, and stay on track towards your weight loss goals! Here are our best tips that will allow you to say “yes!” to more festive fun without sacrificing the good work you’ve done.

How To Have A Healthy Holiday Season

Problem: Eggnog is beckoning at the holiday party.
DCSolution: Alcohol is a definite “no” because it will really derail your weight loss progress. Not to mention, having a cocktail stimulates the urge to indulge in cravings, and the hidden calories in these seasonal cocktails add up very quickly.

So, what are you to do? Try this plan-approved Eggnog Mocktail, for a festive beverage that will keep you toasting with friends without adding to your waistline. It is every bit as delicious as the alcoholic versions, but is completely on-plan! If you throw a holiday party, consider choosing a healthy holiday mocktail as your signature cocktail, and simply offer an alcoholic version as an option to your guests. Cheers to holiday success!

Healthy Eggnog for the Holidays!

Ingredients:

• 1 pkg. Vanilla Gold Protein Shake/Pudding Packet
• 6 ounces water
• 1 egg*
• 1/4 teaspoon imitation rum extract
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Dash of nutmeg
• 4 ice cubes

Warm up by preparing this tasty treat at home. Combine all ingredients, except nutmeg, in a blender. Blend ingredients thoroughly. Pour into cups and sprinkle with nutmeg to taste.

Problem: Portion control is tricky with a massive buffet.
DCSolution: If grandma’s house is stuffed with huge amounts of food, remember this rule: grab a palm’s worth of turkey breast, a fistful of green beans, half a sweet potato and a small dinner roll. Sprinkle some cinnamon and Splenda® or stevia (bring your own packets from home!) on your sweet potato, and be sure to eat it last! This will help curb cravings for dessert. Ask your Diet Center Counselor to see the Perfect Portion Control Plate. It will show you how to fill your plate and stay in control. If you need to dig deeper into your bag of tricks, keep your favorite Diet Center snacks on hand as well as Carb Blockers The best defense is a good offense! With our new AM/PM Patch, staying in control is easier than ever.

Problem: I am out of town and can’t get to the gym.
DCSolution: While your local gym is no longer an option, that doesn’t mean exercise has to come to a halt. Get outside for a long walk or play a family game of football in the back yard. The point is, activity comes in many forms, so don’t think you have to be on a treadmill to get in a workout.

Problem: Every holiday activity is about food and drinking.
DCSolution: Take charge of your social calendar. Every activity does not have to include boozing and binging, so plan some fun events that are blissfully non-indulgent. For example, find a local tree lighting or see if your local botanic gardens has a festive event going on and walk around, listen to carolers and feel the holiday spirit.

No events going on? Arrange a winter activity like sledding, ice skating or snow shoeing, then reward yourself with a fire pit, blankets, some good friends and Creamy Gold Protein Hot Cocoa for a night of healthy holiday fun. The options are endless!

Problem: I feel sluggish and look tired.
DCSolution: If you feel this way, you’re probably staying up too late and possibly sampling some off-plan foods. Get back on track with your Diet Center Program and get at least 8 hours of sleep! This will make a world of difference in how you look and feel. The most important thing to remember is that one bad meal does not make you overweight, just as one good meal doesn’t make you slender. Eating well consistently will give you the results you want. So, if you’ve had a few cheats, forget about them, forgive yourself and move forward full steam ahead!

WARNING: Danger zone! There are some foods that inevitably show up at holiday get-togethers that will sabotage your efforts to eat well. Avoid the following foods at all costs or risk being put on the “naughty” list.

Holiday Foods to Avoid For Best Weight Loss

• Turkey skin – it can have excessive amounts of sodium, calories and fat.
• Stuffing – unless you’ve made your own on-plan-version, you don’t know how many calories are hidden in this side-dish.
• Pecan pie – the ingredients in most pecan pies add up to a whole lot of empty calories, sugar and syrup.
• Pigs in a blanket – these typically contain processed meats, which can contain far too much fat and sodium to be helpful in weight loss.
• Caramel popcorn – aside from the fact that they are addicting and crave-able, caramel popcorn is loaded with sugar.
• Cakes and cookies – for obvious reasons, definitely avoid indulging in cakes and cookies!
• Chocolates – 1 ounce of chocolate can contain a surprising amount of calories, and the caffeine content can disrupt your sleep schedule.
• Mixed drinks – as previously mentioned, alcohol can cause weight gain and should be avoided during weight loss.

Make it a wonderful holiday season. Ask your Diet Center Counselor for more tips and tricks to make it your healthiest one yet.