With the holidays upon us, it looks like there are all sorts of yummy, sugary snacks to choose from wherever we look. At my office alone there were two pies on Monday, a box of doughnuts on Tuesday, chocolate and candy on Wednesday and fudge on Thursday. Thankfully with my super human powers I managed to avoid them all but I am careful with my snacks and willpower…usually.
If you are looking to maintain your weight and get through this season without eating everything in sight, then choose your snacks so you always have something guilt-free to grab.
It’s hard to avoid temptation but at the end of the day when you can walk away without feeling bloated, lethargic, tight in the pants, headachy, or moody you’ll appreciate your pre-planning.
I advise patients to eat something every few hours in order to maintain their blood sugar and stay hydrated by drinking at least eight glasses of water per day. Start your day out strong with some eggs scrambled with vegetables, plain oatmeal where you add your own nuts/berries, high protein/low sugar cereal and Canadian bacon.
Mid-morning make yourself a cup of tea, and mix up some plain (no fruit flavored high sugar) yogurt with a handful of walnuts and some cinnamon. Or cut up an apple and dip it in 2 tablespoons of almond butter. Blend up a scoop of protein powder, some ice, a handful of frozen strawberries for a smoothie.
Eat a fulfilling lunch like a salad with cut up chicken, carrots, cucumbers, mushrooms and balsamic vinaigrette. Or heat up a cup of homemade chili or vegetable soup with half a sandwich.
Mid-afternoon when you need a pick-me-up, brew up another cup of tea and dip carrots and cut up red pepper in hummus. Put some natural peanut butter (no sugar added) on celery sticks. Have some string cheese with a handful of pecans/almonds.
For dinner continue with the protein (organic lean meat or fish) with a salad or vegetables, and a small amount of brown rice or whole grain pasta.
If you’re looking for dessert then have a cup of frozen berries, or choose now to have another smoothie blended with a good quality protein powder.
Do you want the cookies, fudge, brownies, candy, chocolate, or caramel corn? Of course! Do you need it? Definitely not. Stick to the plan and drink a lot of water while remembering to exercise.