Healthy Holiday Tip #6

Who doesn’t enjoy a good holiday feast? However, nobody likes feeling stuffed afterward. There’s good news!

There are steps you can take so you won’t feel uncomfortable after a delicious holiday meal.

1. Pace yourself – practice putting down your utensils between each bite – savoring the flavors of the season.

2. Give your brain and stomach time to talk to each other – wait for second helpings because it takes 20 mins before your stomach signals to your brain it’s

full.

3. If you are gathering this holiday season, have a small snack before going – you will be less likely to overeat at the gathering than if you went hungry.

4. Use a smaller plate – select a small appetizer or dessert plate (4-7") because it allows you to put less on your plate. The downside to this is you can go back for seconds. A strategy would be to fill the plate with fiber-rich foods. Start with 3/4 of the plate of fresh fruits and vegetables. You will fill up on nutrient-dense foods creating less room for those higher-calorie choices.

5. Don't stress if you can't finish all your food on your plate. It's fine to know when you had enough. Assessing where you are on a hunger scale is important to feel that neutral feeling rather than overly-stuffed.

Photo credit: Media from Unsplash/Libby Penner