Don’t panic, and don’t put down that eggnog yet – there are still plenty of foods you can eat during the Christmas season that will help you lose weight. The holiday, which is synonymous with consuming plenty of popular foods like stuffing and pumpkin pie, is one of the most-cited reasons people gain weight in December. Fortunately, there’s no reason to stress about setting your New Year’s Resolution quite yet. Plenty of foods are available at the modern holiday dinner table that will help you stay trim without feeling left out!
Although a balanced diet with plenty of variety is important, we’ve picked five foods commonly found around the Christmas and New Year’s holidays that won’t leave you loosening your belt. Don’t be afraid to try anything, just keep in mind that portion control with any foods is the key to keeping yourself slim. Our top five picks are:
1. Sweet Potatoes
Skip the processed and canned stuff for the real deal this holiday. Sweet potatoes come loaded with dietary fiber that will fill you up the right way, and are a great source for vitamin C and B6, which will keep you healthy and glowing.
2. Turkey
Trust us, this fowl isn’t foul. Turkey is one of the lowest-calorie protein sources available today, and is a popular holiday staple. Skip the fried bird and gravy and go for a slice of the baked breast to keep within your calorie goals and hit your protein numbers all in one shot.
3. Whole Wheat Biscuits
Another great way to get your fiber fix and feel full is to opt for a whole wheat biscuit instead of the sweet white that’s typically offered around the dinner table. Whole grains are important for your digestive tract and will help you feel full longer, which means less snacking.
4. Green Beans
Did you know that green beans are one of the world’s healthiest foods? With calcium, iron, vitamin A, and many more, this legume is a great way to get your veggies in. Skip the casserole loaded with cheese and fried onions and choose a sautéed version with almonds instead – we guarantee you will never look back!
5. Cranberries
Yes, you can have cranberry sauce! Making this yourself is an amazing way to avoid having all the additional sugar (and subsequent calories) that come in the canned version, and the taste is so much better! Fresh cranberries can be difficult to find in the store, so go for a frozen alternative.
These are only five foods that will help you avoid unnecessary holiday weight gain! Keep in mind that if we can create custom plans for you that will help you achieve your goal, while not missing a single moment of the holidays.
