Around every turn at the grocery store are mountains of gaudy
plastic bags filled with candy that glimmer under the fluorescent
lights.
Pumpkin pies’ tawny surfaces swirl dreamily under their
cellulose hoods and chromatic cupcakes sit snugly in plastic
cartons, aching to be bought, eaten and then fastened securely to
your waistline.
Around every turn at the grocery store are mountains of gaudy plastic bags filled with candy that glimmer under the fluorescent lights.
Pumpkin pies’ tawny surfaces swirl dreamily under their cellulose hoods and chromatic cupcakes sit snugly in plastic cartons, aching to be bought, eaten and then fastened securely to your waistline.
With Halloween right around the corner, the holiday food fest will soon be in full swing. From now until New Year’s, just about every big event is centered around food, and many people find it hard to resist the cajoling chow.
It’s a time of year for unhealthy eating, said Lynn Kjelson, clinical nutrition manager at Hazel Hawkins Hospital.
“From the health care field, there’s a push to eat healthy,” Kjelson said. “To be aware of what you’re eating, how much you’re having and how often you’re having it.”
Many people rationalize overeating during the holidays because they only come around once a year, Kjelson said. Most times the overeating comes while gathering with friends and family and wanting to be part of the festivities.
People lose sight of why they eat healthy during the rest of the year – for the obvious reason, their health.
“Your body doesn’t say, ‘Oh, it’s holiday time – I’m not going to start hardening my arteries, gaining more weight, staying healthy,'” she said. “(During the holidays) if you’re aware of what you’re eating you can make positive, healthy food choices.”
Being able to make healthy food choices with constant holiday treats around to tempt you can be done successfully by nutrition education and balancing what you eat.
“If you know you’re going to a party think of the special foods you can choose,” Kjelson said. “You can select them and enjoy them, but just have a reasonable portion of them.”
Dos Palos resident and Hollister native Jennifer Castro definitely notices the temptation to eat more around the holiday season, beginning with the influx of candy at Halloween from her children’s trick or treating.
“I try to limit what I eat – like only one piece of pie or one piece of candy,” she said. “After Halloween, I put the kids’ candy away and give it to them over a period of time.”
Moderation is the key to overcoming holiday binges, but many people have incorrect concepts of what moderation is.
If you know you’ll be tempted to eat unhealthy foods at a gathering at night, don’t try to stave off eating until then, hoping to save or “bank” your calories. Doing this will only store the food you do eat as fat, Kjelson said.
“Your body has a set amount of calories you need throughout the day at certain times,” she said. “So really when you bank your calories that’s over what your body needs at that time and it’s going to be stored as fat.”
Because the holidays are a time to enjoy good food and good company, focus on maintaining your current weight instead of trying to lose weight – making it a much more enjoyable and guilt-free time.
Remaining aware – of what you’re eating, taking care of your body and staying healthy – can all be done reasonably during the holidays.
“The biggest encouragement is to enjoy the food,” Kjelson said. “Enjoy your family and enjoy the time.”
Tips for healthy eating during the holidays:
– Eat something before you go to a party or family gathering. It is best to combine a high fiber carbohydrate and protein.
– Limit or avoid high calorie beverages. One cup of eggnog has the same amount of calories as a piece of apple pie.
– Savor and enjoy the meal – use the 20-minute rule.
– Be choosy – select food items at parties that you rarely have or are only available during the holidays.
– Use a smaller plate.
– After you fill up your plate, walk away from the food table.
– Don’t deny your sweet tooth; allow yourself a small treat occasionally.
