| As we approach the holiday season, food takes | | | | Do not arrive at a party famished. You may be |
| on an important role. Stress or holiday joy may | | | | more likely to overeat high-fat items. Have |
| lead to emotional eating, and many people reach | | | | protein before going to the event, such as low-fat |
| for food as comfort. In fact, 75 percent of | | | | cheese, cottage cheese, turkey and fresh fruit. |
| overeating is caused by emotions. So how can | | | | Or, you may want to eat a small meal before |
| we curb emotional eating this holiday season? | | | | going. |
| Here are some tips. | | | | Limit alcoholic beverages to one or two drinks per |
| Pay attention to the balance in what you eat. Aim | | | | day (if you must drink at all). Consider alternating |
| for a diet of 40-50 percent from healthy | | | | alcoholic beverages with low-calorie drinks such as |
| carbohydrates (vegetables, fruits, whole grains | | | | club or diet soda with lime or diet iced tea. |
| and starchy vegetables), 30 percent from healthy | | | | Alcoholic beverages pack whopping amounts of |
| fats (nuts, olive and sunflower oils) and the rest | | | | calories - mixers and sweet wines contain |
| from lean proteins such as fish, chicken and | | | | 120-450 calories per portion. Also, never drink on |
| turkey. | | | | an empty stomach. Alcohol can cause |
| Eat what you like! A diet deprivation mentality can | | | | hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) by inhibiting the |
| cause you to eat even more. Just choose smaller | | | | production of glucose by the liver. |
| portions of foods you really like. | | | | As you go through this holiday season, try to |
| Stay active so your body can operate efficiently. | | | | keep these simple guidelines in place. They can |
| Keep your same eating schedule for breakfast, | | | | make the difference between a joyous holiday |
| lunch and dinner. It's important not to skip meals | | | | season and one fraught with food and weight |
| orwait too long to eat. | | | | worries. |