By Jill Yesko, University Relations
Contact (336) 334-3890
Posted 11-20-06
GREENSBORO, N.C.– When it comes to holiday eating, it’s OK to be a portion control Scrooge and to say Bah humbug to no-no holiday noshes.
“For anyone who faces the endless food challenges presented by the holidays, keeping a sense of humor, perspective and bottom-line sensibility about food choices can help forestall weight gain,” advises Jill Shaw, a registered dietitian and nutrition educator at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Shaw advocates a tough love, no-nonsense approach when it comes to dealing with the upcoming endless parade of high-calorie goodies.
“No one is forcing anyone to overeat this holiday season,” says Shaw. “Just because everyone else is doing it, it doesn’t mean you have to follow the crowd.”
The smorgasbord of temptations that begin with leftover Halloween candy and end with New Year’s Day brunches can lead not only to unwanted pounds, but also to yo-yo dieting to get rid of the extra weight. Exercising consistent and steadfast moderation in eating, drinking and exercising will contribute to overall health throughout the coming year.
Even if you can’t resist an extra slice of pumpkin pie or another trip to the cold cut platter at the office party, trying to confine overeating to specific days, such as Thanksgiving day, can go a long way to towards keeping overall calories in check, says Shaw.
“Two or three days out of 365 days are insignificant,” says Shaw. “The problem is the day-to-day party tables whereby every co-worker is sharing (or trying to get rid of) their extra goodies. Don’t be a human garbage disposal.”
Shaw recommends mantras such as “I choose not be glutinous this year,” when faced with friends or relatives who offer unwanted food.
Even though the average person gains only about one pound over the holidays, according to a study published in 2000 in the New England Journal of Medicine, those pounds tend to carry over from year-to-year.
To keep holiday weight gain from becoming the gift that keeps giving, Shaw says to take the advice of Tiny Tim who was grateful for the small portions he was given.
