Dieting at Christmas

CEBU, Philippines — Once again, that time of the year is here – when the temptation for self-indulgence is hardest to resist. Christmas is not only a time for extra spending; it is time for gaining extra body weight as well. The lavish dinners at parties are, of course, dazzling and can make one lose control so easily.

But there are ways to make Christmas, or any other celebration, guilt-free, especially among weight watchers. There are simple steps that can help a lot in managing one’s intakes during the holidays – to make the celebrations really a time to enjoy without damaging one’s shape and health.

Avoid skipping meals on the day of a party. Hunger will certainly make you eat more. Have your meals as you normally would. Skip only the one particular meal that falls at the time of the party. Deprivation will only increase your craving, and stuffing yourself at one time will make it difficult for your body to burn all the excess calories.

Drink plenty of water before leaving for a party. Water will fill you up somehow and you’re not likely to gorge when you come face to face with a tempting buffet. Also, if you can still take it, have a glass of water as your very first drink at the party. Sip casually while you scout around for friends or as you check the food on display.

If possible, go for a piece of fruit before starting dinner. It’s okay to munch your way around talking to friends. This will prompt your brain to start registering satisfaction, and you are less likely to overeat at dinner. It takes around 20 minutes for the stomach to signal “fullness” to the brain.

Calculate your moves as you prepare to approach the buffet table. Tighten your belt if necessary; there is no more practical “stop” signal than a waistline that tightens bite after bite. Go for a salad first, before heading to the richer foods. The fiber in vegetables can fill you up quickly and leave little room for the heavy foods later.

Take only small portions of your favorite foods. Have all the foods you like, but only in small amounts. It’s unrealistic – and unkind – to deprive yourself in front of a steaming buffet. Have a little of one food, and then move on to another. The variety alone is enough to satisfy you without eating so much.

Make dinner a social experience. A good dinner is not only about good food, but good company and good conversation as well. Find someone interesting to talk with as you both enjoy your food – at some distance away from the buffet table.

Be careful with drinks. Fruit drinks made with milk bases are high in calories. Alcohol from wine converts into sugar in the body. And sugar is known for its highly fattening properties. Go for the lesser “proof” in alcoholic beverages. The higher the proof means the higher the caloric content. Also be careful with salty foods. Salt is diuretic; it triggers the release of water in the body. It makes you thirsty and encourage more drinking.

Leave the party early. The best way to avoid temptation is to get away from it sooner. Thank the host and say you have an early appointment in the morning; he’s likely to consider.

It’s preposterous to insist on fasting at Christmastime. Even serious dieters don’t need to decline every dinner invitation and, thus, alienate themselves from friends and family. All it takes to maintain one’s well-guarded poundage and health during the long celebrations is a little planning and a lot of self-discipline.