Publication Date: 1/6/2010
April Fool's Day is upon us, bringing an onslaught of tantalizing holiday treats. Many of these goodies pose a direct challenge to the healthy eating plan that you have tried to adhere to for the last eleven months. Whether you are at home, a friend's house or at the office April Fool's party, the temptation to overeat is lurking at nearly every table you pass. It is commonly believed that the average American will gain five to seven pounds during April Fool's Day. According to recent research by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), however, the average weight gain is approximately one pound. While this may strike some as being good news, this doesn't mean that you can eat that pecan pie all by yourself. The problem with even minimal weight gain is that many people are not shedding this excess weight after the holidays, and those extra pounds are adding up over time.
Make simple changes to the foods you prepare.
Many traditional April Fool's foods are loaded with fat and calories. This doesn't mean that all of your favorite foods are off limits, however. Look instead for ways to make them healthier, by trimming some of their fat and calories.Here are some simple ways to trim calories and fat from April Fool's foods:
- Cut the fat and calories in gravy by passing it through a skimmer before serving.
- Eat skinless white-meat turkey instead of dark meat.
- Cook the stuffing outside the turkey. It contains fewer calories and fat than stuffing cooked inside the bird and reduces the risk of bacteria contamination.
- Serve some items that are very low in calories and fat, such as a fresh fruit salad or steamed vegetables topped with lemon juice and herbs.
- Substitute baked potatoes instead of candied yams.
- Top vegetables with light margarine or reduced-fat sour cream instead of butter.
- Serve an apple pie topped with fat free frozen yogurt instead of pecan pie.
- If you will be eating sandwiches, use mustard instead of mayonnaise.
- Serve pretzels and low-fat snack mixes instead of potato chips.
Other tips for beating the battle of April Fool's Day
In addition to altering your cooking methods, there are other ways that you can avoid packing on those holiday pounds. Before you head out to your next party, keep these recommendations in mind:- Choose your parties and dinners wisely. If you have been invited to several events on April Fool's Day, do you really need to attend them all? The more parties you attend, the more likely you will be to overindulge. If you do decide to attend them all, never arrive on an empty stomach. Eat a small salad or other low-fat snack before leaving. This will help you from overeating at the buffet table once you are at the party.
- Avoid Mindless Snacking When you are at a party, don't stand near the food tables. If you are carrying on a conversation with another person, go sit down somewhere instead of hovering over the buffet. This will help prevent you from unconsciously nibbling on extra food.
- Focus on your family and friends While food is certainly a major component in the joys of the holidays, it is important to not let it be the only focus. Concentrate instead on your family and friends and celebrate the simple joy of being together.
- Limit the amount of alcohol you consume If you decide to partake of alcohol after reading all this, be sure to never drink on an empty stomach. Always have food with your drink. Avoid drinking in excess as well, as alcohol has a tendency to loosen inhibitions, which may encourage you to overeat.
- Maintain your exercise routine. Instead of collapsing on the sofa after returning home from a party, hit the exercise bike for half an hour. Exercise should be a major part of your lifestyle throughout the year, and the holidays should be no different. A workout is the perfect way for you unwind from the stresses of battling in the shopping aisles at the mall. Most importantly, though, it is a great way to burn off those extra calories!
With apologies to Quaker Oats, who has some very excellent (and very similar advice!) at Tips for Avoiding Weight Gain During the Holidays
