You Can Have Fun and Stay Healthy! - Holiday Dieting Tips Part 2

We talked about dieting tips in the last post. It all starts from Halloween, then the winter holidays come along. Family togetherness usually equals lots of snacking and appetizers and big meals. Also, don't forget all the baked treats! Can you eat all of these things? The answer is yes, but in moderation.

We come up with more great tips for you to still stay healthy in your wonderful holidays:

#1 Wear Tight Fitting Clothes

If you have some issues controlling your holiday behaviors, consider wearing some tight fitting clothes. Don't make yourself too uncomfortable, but at the same time you'll want to feel the reminder if you begin to eat too much.

#2 Plan Healthy Meals

If you're hosting any of the holiday events, consider going with some healthier alternatives to some popular meals. Healthy doesn't always mean bland or unappealing. Get creative and try some new recipes.

#3 Remember to Take Breaks

During a long evening with family and friends, sometimes you'll lose track of your eating habits. Make it a point to take breaks where you know there isn't a plate or a drink in your hand. Concentrate on the conversations you're having instead.

#4 Eat Before You Go

If you're off to a holiday event at someone else's house, eat something healthy before you leave. This is especially important if you know you'll be tempted by all the unhealthy treats that'll be available. If you aren't particularly hungry when you show up, you won't feel such an urge to begin eating.

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You might think that it will be disappointing to “restrict” yourself in holidays, but the truth is that you feel happy when you can control yourself. The best thing is that you won’t feel any quilt or any surprise when you weigh yourself at the end of the holidays!

Holiday Dieting Tips - How to Have Fun and Stay Healthy

The holidays are a special time for all, and you should take the time to indulge yourself. However, at the same time you should keep your health in mind because it's easy to be tempted into going overboard.

It all starts with Halloween and all the extra treats that are lingering in your candy bowl. Then we're lead into Thanksgiving, where the average person will ingest over 3 times the number of calories that they should be eating, or even more.

Follow these tips to help you stay in control of your fork:

#1 Go in with a Plan

Before you put yourself into temptation, tell yourself how much you're allowed to eat. In the weeks following Halloween, save yourself 10 pieces of candy to eat. Give the rest away to coworkers and neighbors. For Thanksgiving and other family holidays, allow yourself to indulge on one item such as the appetizers or the dessert - not both.

#2 Don't Be Too Strict.

While you may be tempted to be tough on yourself during other times of the year, the holidays are a time you should allow for some relaxation from the strict behavior. Don't try to get through entire evenings without enjoying any of the food. The starvation diet only works for so long until you fail and over-consume. Work on your moderation skills instead.

#3 Don't Punish Yourself.

Everyone makes mistakes. If you do slip up and overeat one day, in the long run it won't make much of a difference. Just tell yourself that you'll try harder next time. Don't be tempted to just give up and continue the poor eating decisions. It's when you have many bad days in a row that you can ruin a good diet plan.

#4 Watch the Alcohol Intake.

It's true; alcohol usually flows freely at holiday events. You can indulge yourself here as well. While you may be able to get away with having a few drinks spread out over the evening, remember that the calories add up. Consider alternating between alcoholic drinks and pure, refreshing water.

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Just remember to have a good time! If you're bummed about not getting to eat everything that you want, concentrate on all the other aspects of the holidays. There are many other fun activities to engage in that don't involve eating!

Other Healthy Halloween Festivities and Ideas

Your kids will love healthy alternatives to Halloween candy if you make them frightfully good. These are some ideas for healthy holiday food and celebrations that are low on sugar and still a lot of fun.

#1 Have a costume parade.

Dressing up is a huge part of the holiday. Let the kids show off their costumes. Dream up creative categories so that everyone gets a prize. You could honor the best princess costume based on a movie and the princess with the prettiest shoes.

#2 Tell scary stories in a haunted house.

Halloween is supposed to be creepy. Turn your basement into a dungeon or make your backyard look like a cemetery. Practice some ghost stories or encourage the group to make up their own as they go along. Plant appropriate sound effects and props to enhance the scary parts.

#3 Indulge your creative side.

There are all kinds of holiday crafts you can enjoy with your kids. Get free ideas at the library or online. You can decorate pumpkins, make scarecrows or do some face painting.

#4 Hand out non-food treats.

Whether you trick or treat or throw a party, you can hand out treats and favors other than candy. Give children stickers, temporary tattoos, coins, pencil toppers or small novelty toys. Black toothbrushes will come in especially handy this time of year. Just make sure there are no choking hazards for very young kids.

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There are healthy alternatives to Halloween candy that will keep your kids happy and your dental bills down. Make this Halloween good and scary for you and your family.

Healthy Alternatives to Halloween Candy Your Kids Will Love

Your kids will love healthy alternatives to Halloween candy if you make them frightfully good. These are some ideas for healthy holiday food and celebrations that are low on sugar and still a lot of fun.

Healthy Foods to Substitute for Traditional Halloween Candy:

#1 Make your own sinister snacks.

Kids love gross things. Use cookie cutters to design homemade cookies in shapes like ghosts and bats. Bake gingerbread zombies with missing limbs. You can adjust the conventional recipes to lower the sugar and substitute whole grain flour for half the white flour.

Kids will also love to eat fruit and vegetables if you arrange them right. Peel grapes so that they look like eyeballs. Make a skeleton shape out of carrot sticks and sliced vegetables.

#2 Try sugar free or organic candy and gum.

If you want to serve candy, try sugar free or organic brands. Read the labels to check on any chemicals you want to avoid and to find out how much sugar they contain. Sugar free gum is especially good to help keep dental plaque from forming if your kids eat any sugary candy. It stimulates saliva and can help fight tooth decay.

#3 Hand out healthier foods

There are lots of nutritious foods you can hand out for trick or treating or at parties. Focus on sturdy fruits and vegetables like baby carrots, raisins, apples, oranges, or bananas. Try pre-packaged cheese sticks or make your own packets of nuts.

·  Beware of cereal bars that may have as much sugar and fat as candy.

·  Create your own trail mix with granola, nuts, and dried fruit.

·  The sophisticated older child may even like seaweed or unsalted soy nuts.

#4 Serve hot chocolate or juice.

Water is the best way to quench your kid's thirst, but controlled portions of other liquids can also be reasonable choices. Small servings of hot chocolate will provide some warmth if the weather has already turned cold.

Individual juice boxes with straws will provide hydration and vitamins while keeping sugary drinks from sticking to your kid's teeth.

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There are multiple ways to have your kids consuming healthy “candies” on Halloween! Use your creativity and share it with us! Your kids might even find it better than the not-so-healthy candies!