20 Ridiculously Simple Ways Nutritionists Avoid Holiday Weight Gain

Pre-game wisely

It might be tempting to “bank” calories to save for an extra cocktail, but every one of our experts recommends you steer clear of this strategy.

“Don't arrive hungry,” says Jen DeWall, RDN, LD, CSSD, sports performance and weight loss coach and owner of Nutrition in Motion, LLC, in Des Moines, Iowa. “Arriving at a party hungry, then facing a smorgasbord of choices, is the perfect storm for overeating regardless of your willpower.”

ed popcorn, Greek yogurt, hard-boiled eggs, veggies with hummus or your favorite plant based protein shake.

“If you’re satisfied when you walk in, you can focus on making good choices and connecting with people instead of food,” says Jenna A. Werner, RD, creator of Happy Slim Healthy. “Also be sure to work out that morning so you feel like the best version of you.”

Ask for a sneak peak of the menu

It’s helpful if you don’t go in ravenous—or go in blind. “Kindly ask the host what will be on the menu so you know what foods will be there. You can choose one or two of your favorites to indulge in and exercise portion control on the rest,” says Wesley Delbridge, RD, national media spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics in Phoenix, Arizona.

Take a lap

If that’s not possible (or feels like an awkward ask) step up your internal investigations.

“When you arrive at a small bites party or buffet-style dinner, first take a tour to survey your options. Then, ask yourself whether the food or drink that you’re considering enjoying is something that will be reallyworth it,” says Anne Mauney, RD, creator of fANNEtasticfood.com.

That doesn’t mean that every spoonful should come with a side dish of guilt. But not being ravenous might steal you some time to pick a handful of favorite that'll truly cure your cravings.

Remember that every bite counts

A bite of brie here and a forkful of fruit cake there can add up—fast.

“Cocktail hours, passed hors hors d'oeurves, appetizer stations...this is where the breakdown happens. We tend to not ‘count’ these mini snacks and sips,” Werner says. “They’re tiny so they don’t make a difference, right? It’s easy to rationalize when we don’t truly realize the quantity.”

A couple passed apps, plus some dunked veggies, a side of cheese and a couple handfuls of marinated olives doesn’t seem like a lot eaten separately, but consider these staggering calorie stats:

● 4 pigs in a blanket: 200 calories

● 1/4 cup spinach dip with 1 cup carrot sticks: 255 calories

● 2 ounces of cheese: 200 calories

● 15 kalamata olives: 135 calories

Total tapas tally: 790 calories

So plate it up

When you place all of these potentially mindless munchies on a small single plate, you can visualize the scale shock. “Avoid grazing and only eat what you put on your plate. I know plates can be piled high and refilled unlimited times, but it’s the nibbling that gets people into trouble. Most of the time, we eat many more calories picking here and there than while eating one plate of food,” DeWall says.

Cram in quality calories early

As you build that plate, start with the vitamin-rich vittles first or for a sit-down dinner, be sure to eat every forkful of the salad. “Load it up with the raw or steamed vegetables and grilled proteins, like shrimp cocktail, then pick one indulgent item that you can’t live without and move on,” Werner says.

“Remember that appetizers start the meal, and adding on too many excess calories before the meal can prevent you from feeling your best during the special occasion!”

Tune in

Mindful eating is useful for everything from overcoming emotional eating to maneuvering through the calorie minefield that is cocktail hour. After Abby Olson, RD, owner of Encompass Nutritionin St. Paul, Minnesota, fills her plate, she takes note of what she’s tasting.

“I focus on the texture , flavor, color and presentation—and more importantly, whether I actually like it or not. Having conversation and tasting foods can happen simultaneously as long as you stay present.” Every couple bites, ask yourself these two important questions:

● Does this taste as good as it did during the first bite?

● Is this dish as amazing as I expected it to be?

“Our palates change when our bodies have had enough; we just don't often pay attention to that, especially in the middle of a party,” Olson says. This one-two punch of simple questions will keep your taste buds true.

Allow yourself some wiggle room.

“Place nothing completely off limits,” Mauney says. “If guilt is involved and you end up eating that food, the ‘screw it, I’m already off track so I might as well stay off track’ mentality will likely appear. Give yourself permission to get pleasure from food. Food is supposed to be fun, not stressful.”

Instead of banning specific bites, gIve yourself “yellow light” and “green light” foods, DeWall recommends. Go crazy with fresh fruits and veggies, sushi, nuts and olives. Take caution with cheese, thick sauces, sweet treats and alcohol.

Take your time

Another crucial component to mindfulness requires you to take a second (or perhaps we should say minute) look.

“The key is to eat slowly. Take frequent pauses,” Mauney says. “To help with this, physically set down your silverware, plate or drink and take a deep breath.”

If you’re really yearning for another serving of any item at a cocktail party, buffet or family-style supper, go back for more. But before you do, give your body at least 20 minutes (the average time it takes our brains to register fullness) to catch up.

Don't feel obligated to eat every bite

Just because the host made it and scooped it onto your plate doesn’t mean you need to spoon it into your mouth. Yes, taking a “courtesy bite” is a respectful gesture, but after that, do you. “Indulging in food is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Make sure what you’re having is actually something you enjoy, and that you’re not just having it just because you feel like you must,” Mauney says. 

If you don’t thoroughly love something, respectfully discard your plate, share it with a pal or say you’re saving room for the delights to come.

If necessary, call a timeout

Tuning into your fullness cues might require a more focused strategy. If you can’t concentrate mid-conversation, step into the other room to “make a call” or visit the restroom for a breather.

“Between each plate refill, I wait until I can decide whether I’m actually physically hungry or not—or if I’m having an emotional pull to the food because I’m nervous, excited or distracted,” Olson says.

Once you know where you fall on the satisfaction spectrum, you can decide if you really want more or if you’re “urge surfing,” as Olson calls it. “If I’m really interested in another round, I eat it mindfully and dismiss judgment or guilt since I’ve made the decision to eat outside of emotion,” she adds.

Skip the specialty cocktails

Carbs and protein have four calories per gram, fat has nine calories per gram and alcohol has seven calories per gram. That means, aside from avocados, oils and other fat sources, the calories from alcohol add up quicker than any other macronutrient.

“It’s true, alcohol is basically empty calories, and when we start mixing in juices, creamy liqueurs and simple syrup, we add extra sugar calories to empty calories,” Werner says. “Still, it is a holiday celebration and you should enjoy yourself. Just choose wisely.”

Her drink dos:

● Go plain. Mix spirits with fresh fruit, club soda or water and ice

● Pop a bottle. Enjoy wine or light beer

● Hit the club. Opt for club soda as your mixer. It has zero calories and sugar—unlike regular sodas and tonic water.

Bounce back and forth with beverages

It’s not just about the immediate impact of imbibing in that Long Island, either. “Alcohol increases appetite and can deter you from making sensible food choices,” DeWall says.

With that in mind, Olson sips on a virgin drink between each alcoholic one to stay hydrated and clear-headed. “Alternate water or another non-alcoholic beverage and your spirited drink of choice. Or have water and a drink at the same time if you can juggle both,” Olson says.

Keep your hands busy

Speaking of juggling, one of the benefits of casual cocktail parties over sit-down dinners is the ability to use your 10 fingers to cool your consumption. Always keep a glass of water or club soda nearby to grab when you’re tempted to pick at the buffet—but don’t really need another bite. “Too often we indulge not because we really want to but because we’re on autopilot. feeling awkward or just want something to do with our hands,” Mauney says. You can also volunteer help pass around hors d'oeuvres or drinks—your host and your body will thank you. Because full hands means fewer mindless munches.

Definitely say yes to dessert

The holidays are a special season—and you deserve to celebrate. Dessert should never be off-limits anyway, Olson says. “I always eat dessert daily to avoid feeling deprived. So on days when I have a holiday gathering, I plan to have my sweet treat at the party,” she says. “Whether it’s one larger item or a few smaller items I can put together to make a full dessert, I fill up a small plate and let myself enjoy it completely.”

Be kind to yourself

Did you snack on an extra sugar cookie or two? You blinked and that entire plate of petit fours disappeared? Stop the shame cycle before it starts. “There’s no point beating yourself up for something that has already happened. Learn from the experience, and take that knowledge as a reminder to be more mindful next time,” Mauney says.

Even if you didn’t stick to the plan you set up for yourself, forgive yourself and move on. “Don’t wait until the New Year to commit to your health goals or to start over,” Werner adds. “Start now, stay focused and enjoy the beautiful time of year!”

Offer to host

Bonnie Taub-Dix, RD, creator of BetterThanDieting.com and author of Read It Before You Eat It: Taking You From Label to Table and DeWall both like to guarantee good-for-you bites by planning the party and designing the menu themselves.

“When I host a party I like to have plenty of healthy options and a few not so healthy,” DeWall says. “Many people enjoy healthy during the holidays because they crave a break from the other things, so I stock up on plenty of veggies, fruit, nuts and popcorn. I always have plenty of vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free and nut-free options for those with allergies or those following specific diets.”

“Whether it’s a brunch or afternoon affair, make mimosas your signature drink. The combo of fresh-squeezed, vitamin C-rich orange juice and champagne is a nice festive mix,” Taub-Dix says. “This easy, two-ingredient cocktail pairs well with most appetizers and it works wonders to bring lots of help to the kitchen as I top them off!”

Trim down the sugar

When you set the menu, you control the ingredients and how much white sugar, white flour and other not-quite-so-nutritious items you add. “For big feasts, I make my own cranberry sauce from fresh cranberries and to keep added sugar to a minimum. Instead, I sweeten the pot with cooked apples and mangoes. In addition to an array of desserts, I always have a platter of fresh fruit on hand,” Taub-Dix says.

Offer to bring dessert

When you’re attending another person’s party, ask if you can contribute dessert. Almost everyone will be happy to add another sweet to the spread, and this way, you can make a favorite that’s loaded with health-boosting components.

If she gets the thumbs up to tote along a treat, Taub-Dix bakes her family-favorite my crowd-pleasing pear cobbler. “It’s lighter than pie because instead of a thick crust, it’s laced with crunchy granola, a variety of chopped nuts and cinnamon. Plus there’s no added sugar,” Taub-Dix says.

Remember what the holidays are really about

So you ring in the New Year with an extra pound. So what? Life goes happily on! “Remember the holidays are about people: your friends and family. Make that your primary focus, and food secondary, and you will have such an amazing time,” Werner says.