*This post assumes responsible, health-conscious gatherings.
During the holidays, it can be difficult not to over-do it. Between family gatherings and Friendsgiving, most of us are prone to eating more, and more often, well into the New Year. But, if want to avoid the bloat and weight gain, we have a few tips to help you stay healthy during the holidays.
ONE – Drink More Water: Drinking a big glass of water 30 minutes before you plan to eat a meal is a great way to prevent over-eating. Many times, we over-eat because we believe we’re “starving” when, in reality, we’re just thirsty. The sensation our body experiences when we’re dehydrated feels a lot like hunger. Another reason to drink plenty of water is to prevent dehydration from coffee and alcohol.
TWO – Use A Smaller Plate: Use a smaller plate when going through the pot-luck buffet line. An appetizer plate will help with maintaining healthy portion sizes.
THREE – Eat Your Greens First: Plants are the most nutrient-dense foods and easiest to digest; fill up on your salad and vegetables before moving on to heavier sides and meats. This will help you consume less of the fatty, salty, calorie-heavy holiday foods.
FOUR – Avoid Processed Foods & Sugars: We know, it’s hard to say no to grandma’s famous pecan pie, but keep in mind that most holiday deserts are made with processed sugars. Practice some self-control and have a couple bites verses a couple slices. This should satisfy your sweet tooth and allow you to enjoy all your favorite holiday flavors without the weight gain. Dried fruits and nuts are satisfying alternatives for sweet treats.
FIVE – Limit Salt Intake: This can be challenging during the holidays because so many of the popular holiday foods contain a ton of salt. For patients with fillers and after surgery, salt can cause a lot of bloating and puffiness. Since lipo patients already have inflammation and swelling, salt causes the body to retain fluid. Doctors Frank and Jennifer Soto recommend all Imagen patients limit their salt intake.
SIX – Take a Walk After Meals: Instead of taking a turkey nap or wallowing in your post-dinner food coma, take a walk. Taking a stroll after your meal will help your body jumpstart the digestion process.
SEVEN – Give Your Digestive System Some Rest: Keep at least three to four hours between meals – This includes snacking. Just like we rest after exercise, we need to let our digestive system rest after “working out” to process our food. Without this rest, we can experience digestive distress including bloating, heartburn, nausea and constipation.
EIGHT – Amino Acids: Our hormones respond to everything we eat. Processed foods and sugar, including complex carbs like white bread and pasta, can cause an abnormal hormonal response. When our hormones are out of balance, it can lead to unhealthy cravings and over-eating. Taking a supplement rich in amino-acids, like the Besha Collagen available at Imagen, can help keep these cravings under control.
From the entire Imagen team, we wish you and your loved ones a happy and healthy holiday season! If you have any questions about how to best maintain your results beyond the holidays, call or text us at 402-509-8473.
