food fight
A Plan for Party Eating
Dear Cheryl,
Each November, I swear I will make better food choices during all the extra
celebratory food holidays starting with Thanksgiving, but I invariably fail. Should I
just resign myself to gain five to 10 pounds between now and January?
Signed, Gain Ten
Dear All or Nothing,
You have choices. When dealing with food issues, all-or-nothing thinking often
prevails. Here are some ways to think differently:
1) Rather than attending every event, choose the frequency you will attend, like
once per week and stick to it. You may choose to skip the cookie exchange but
attend your aunt’s Christmas breakfast where you know Spanish omelets and fruit
will be served.
2) Call ahead to find out what will be served. If you know there will not be a
source of protein available, eat it before you go. The protein will stabilize your
blood sugar level prior to being tempted by the starchy, sugary foods usually
plentiful at holiday gatherings. Take some soy nuts with you in your purse and
nonchalantly eat a fourth cup on the way there or in the powder room if you find
the table is lacking in protein sources like tenderloin or chicken.
3) Avoid excess alcohol. Alcohol is the purest form of carbohydrate ingested and
goes directly to the blood stream, so it not only clouds judgment regarding food
choices, but it raises the blood sugar rapidly causing cravings for more high
carbohydrate foods. Choose seltzer water with lime or a splash of juice with
seltzer water for the flavor, bubbles, and guilt-free embibing.
4) Take your own car. This may sound simple, but being in control of when you
arrive and leave can save calories and time. You may decide to arrive 30 minutes
into the open house and leave 30 minutes before it ends. This way you won’t
wear out your ability to stand temptation for a finite period of time.
5) Take a buddy. Ask a friend who supports you in making healthy food choices
to accompany you to the gathering and remind you how you feel when you eat
certain foods. Support at the event can provide the nurturing you need without
trying to find it through the foods you put in your mouth.
— Cheryl Ades
A Plan for Party Eating
Dear Cheryl,
Each November, I swear I will make better food choices during all the extra
celebratory food holidays starting with Thanksgiving, but I invariably fail. Should I
just resign myself to gain five to 10 pounds between now and January?
Signed, Gain Ten
Dear All or Nothing,
You have choices. When dealing with food issues, all-or-nothing thinking often
prevails. Here are some ways to think differently:
1) Rather than attending every event, choose the frequency you will attend, like
once per week and stick to it. You may choose to skip the cookie exchange but
attend your aunt’s Christmas breakfast where you know Spanish omelets and fruit
will be served.
2) Call ahead to find out what will be served. If you know there will not be a
source of protein available, eat it before you go. The protein will stabilize your
blood sugar level prior to being tempted by the starchy, sugary foods usually
plentiful at holiday gatherings. Take some soy nuts with you in your purse and
nonchalantly eat a fourth cup on the way there or in the powder room if you find
the table is lacking in protein sources like tenderloin or chicken.
3) Avoid excess alcohol. Alcohol is the purest form of carbohydrate ingested and
goes directly to the blood stream, so it not only clouds judgment regarding food
choices, but it raises the blood sugar rapidly causing cravings for more high
carbohydrate foods. Choose seltzer water with lime or a splash of juice with
seltzer water for the flavor, bubbles, and guilt-free embibing.
4) Take your own car. This may sound simple, but being in control of when you
arrive and leave can save calories and time. You may decide to arrive 30 minutes
into the open house and leave 30 minutes before it ends. This way you won’t
wear out your ability to stand temptation for a finite period of time.
5) Take a buddy. Ask a friend who supports you in making healthy food choices
to accompany you to the gathering and remind you how you feel when you eat
certain foods. Support at the event can provide the nurturing you need without
trying to find it through the foods you put in your mouth.
— Cheryl Ades