10 tips to get through any party feasts without weight gain

Posted under female workout

Party invitations don’t need to be troublesome as you imagine the tempting dishes within your reach. Cut calories at all those soirees with these simple but expert-endorsed tips.

Socialize with friends, not food.

Concentrate on mingling and not just eating. It’s a great time to catch up with family, with friends and with other employees you might not get to talk to on a regular basis. Besides it’s not pretty to talk with your mouth full.

Arrange your plate strategically.

You don’t have to totally skip the dessert buffet. Instead, try this trick: Start by arranging a serving of fruit on a dessert-sized plate in a pretty pattern. Then assess your treat options. With less space available on your plate, you’ll have to be extra selective and take smaller portions of only the goodies you really want. Besides, if your food looks gorgeous, you’ll enjoy it more. Hint: You can use the same rule for appetizers by starting with veggies instead of fruit.

Take control of your portion size.

We bet you’ve heard it a million times, but it’s worth repeating. Our experts agree that the key to enjoying the buffet while being mindful of your health is monitoring portion size. Remember: A serving of protein should be about the same size as a deck of cards. Nobody says you can’t put a little of everything on your plate, but avoid going back for seconds.

Eat the food you really want.

Don’t pick the cookie, cake or pie that you think is healthy and deny yourself the one you really want. Instead, take the indulgence you want but stick to the “three polite bites” rule. Three bites are all you really need to satisfy a craving. The first bite is mental. You get so excited you hardly get a real taste. The second bite is confirmation or which is the bite where you really get to enjoy the treat. The third bite is a bonus. It’s just the period on the sentence or maybe the exclamation point!

Drink a glass of milk.

Making time to have a snack before you hit the party circuit can seem impossible at times. On second thought, showing up hungry is dangerous. “Saving up” your calories throughout the day is nothing more than a guarantee you’ll overeat when you hit the buffet table. You can prep up before the party by drinking a glass of low-fat or nonfat milk. It has a balanced amount of carbohydrates and protein, is easy and quick to consume and can keep energy stable.
Wear a cocktail ring.

You know big baubles can up the chicness factor of an outfit, but can they really help you cut calories? They sure can! It is recommended that you wear a bit of bling on the hand you eat with as a visual reminder. That sparkly ring or bracelet will grab your attention every time you pop another crab puff, helping you cut down on mindless snacking.
Get some fresh air.

Did you know that dashing through the snow for 30 minutes could melt away more than 120 calories? In holiday terms, that’s half a slice of pumpkin pie roughly about 115 calories or two candy canes having 60 calories each. Your brisk 15-minute walk should cover a mile. Take the long way home then. You will enjoy the scenery yet burn extra calories.

Be a gracious guest.

You don’t have to be a Grinch and show up empty-handed at parties. Unless the party is catered, volunteer to bring an appetizer. You will be guaranteed to have at least one genuinely healthy option. You can bring fresh or grilled vegetables with balsamic vinaigrette (50 calories for 2 tablespoons), hummus (46 calories for 2 tablespoons) or salsa (9 calories for 2 tablespoons) for dipping.

Beware the of the “free pour.”

Although a glass of red wine may seem like a calorie-conscious choice for a holiday spirit, a 12-ounce light beer can be the smarter option. If the beer is in a bottle, you’ll avoid the generous pours you get with wine, cocktails or the holiday heavyweight eggnog. It is similar to controlling portion size of alcoholic drinks. Thus, it helps keep track of your liquid calories.

Alternate your drinks.

Switch between alcoholic beverages and sparkling water to pace yourself and your calories. When someone takes a sip, you may be more likely to pick up your glass as well. One charming conversation under the mistletoe and you might end up drinking more calories (and alcohol!) than you planned to.

Technorati Tags: eating, fitness, health, holiday tips, how to avoid weight gain at parties, women's health