- Don’t go on an empty tank. If you plan on eating later in the day, try having a small snack before you go, such as apple slices with peanut butter, grapes with a handful of almonds, or a cup of strawberries with a cheese stick.
- Keep your distance. Avoid standing next to the food table at parties. This can help prevent you from mindlessly overeating while talking to friends and family.
- Make room for veggies At meals and parties, don’t ignore fruits and vegetables. They make great snacks, and even better sides or main dishes, but avoid drenching them in cream or butter sauces.
- Save on savory desserts. Pumpkin pie is a lower calorie option this time of year with only 300 calories per slice, while apple pie has 400 calories, and pecan pie has 500 calories per slice.
- Be careful with seasonal beverages. Limit sugary beverages such as eggnog, pumpkin spice lattes, champurrado, and atole to 1 cup (8 fl oz) per day. When drinking alcohol, consumption should be limited to 1 drink per day for women, and 2 per day for men. A “standard” drink is equal to 12 ounces of beer,5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits.
Written by Victoria Luera, Lone Star Circle of Care Registered Dietitian. Submitted by Ashley Wild.