6 Bad Excuses for Unhealthy Holiday Eating
With Thanksgiving around the corner, it's the official start of the holiday season -- or, better known in my business as "the peak season of eating excuses." Trust me: I get it. With the holidays come big family get-togethers and meals, more parties and more dining out. Overall for many, it's a very social time.
But guess what? In my book, being social is not synonymous with weight gain. So instead of letting common excuses derail you, practice these replies -- and start this holiday season thinking positively.
1. Thanksgiving only comes once a year!
Agreed, and so does Christmas and New Year's. Truth be told, I really feel you can eat whatever you want on the actual holiday. One day in the scheme of things doesn't make that much of a difference. But indulging all the days in between is where you get into trouble. Go ahead and give yourself permission to enjoy your holiday meal on the holiday. But if you really want to prevent holiday weight gain, then you need to commit to being more cautious the rest of the days. And that means, by the way, no leftovers.
2. I'm traveling to my family's home for the holidays. They don't serve veggies with meals or eat healthy overall.
Well, as much as I would like to sit down with your family and ask what's going on with that, the truth is sometimes, we just have to take things into our own hands. If traveling by car, you could bring some healthy items with you. If flying, you could ask your family ahead of time to purchase a couple of things you prefer. You could even go food shopping while you're there and simply buy what you want. Or, you could offer to make dinner for them, or at least a side vegetable. Trust me: It's OK if not all your meals away are 100 percent healthy. But maybe this year, they'll get a little healthier.
3. My mom always makes my favorite pie at Thanksgiving and then gives it to me to take home. I can't refuse her, but also can't stop myself from eating the entire pie when I get home.
OK, so here's the deal: I know your mom means well, but maybe it's time to tell her how you really feel -- that you appreciate her, but your favorite pie makes it hard for you to stay on track with your healthy eating. If that's a road you don't want to go down, how about trying to meet her halfway? Have a small piece at Thanksgiving and leave the rest of the pie with her. If that won't work either, you just might have to take the pie with you. However, immediately find someone else to give it to when you get home. For me, it's my doorman, but hey, the postman also works the day after Thanksgiving.
4. I feel like I have to eat whatever my family and friends serve at holiday dinners because I don't want to tell them I am trying to lose weight.
You definitely don't need to explain to anyone why you might not be eating something, especially regarding weight, but I understand it can be an uncomfortable situation. I suggest being as tactful as possible. Perhaps take a small serving -- as long as you aren't allergic or intolerant to it -- and then say, "Thank you, that was delicious, but I'm full now and can't eat another bite." Or, you could say you are trying to eat healthier these days -- just be prepared for backlash.
5. My social calendar gets so busy during the holidays, I just don ' t have time to work out.
So glad you have lots of friends, but don't use them as an excuse. If you really wanted to make time for exercise, you would -- even a half hour of something is better than nothing. Wake up earlier and hit the gym, or make your plans later in the evening. If you can't control the start time of events, and can't get yourself out of bed in the morning, why don't you at least try to squeeze in some more general physical activity throughout the day? Take the stairs, park your car further away in a lot, get off a bus or subway one stop early, or walk to work.
6. There are so many sweets in the office during the holidays.
As much as many of us like to, you can't blame everything on work. Just because there are sweets in the office doesn't mean you have to eat them. Keep your own healthy "treats" in the office -- think fresh fruit, fruit-flavored Greek yogurt, almonds, popcorn, individual servings of cheese and 100 percent whole grain crackers -- to help prevent a midday craving.
Keri Gans, MS, RDN, CDN, is a registered dietitian/nutritionist, media personality, spokesperson, and author of The Small Change Diet. Gans's expert nutrition advice has been featured in Glamour, Fitness, Health, Self and Shape, and on national television and radio, including The Dr. Oz Show, Good Morning America, ABC News, Primetime, and Sirius/XM Dr. Radio.
