Fancy, Festive, and Fattening, Oh No!

As we go into the holiday season, it's time to plan and strategize how to handle the food issue. The FOOD issue. I don't think there are letters big enough to emphasize just how big the holiday food issue is. For some families, fancy and festive (and fattening) food is the primary focus of celebrating and entertaining for two or three months running.

There are different points of view about holiday eating. One is that it's a special time that comes around once a year and it's okay to indulge in all of our favorite holiday foods. One only has so many holidays in one's life, and they shouldn't be spent eating green salad and broiled chicken. As long as we hop back on the wagon in January, a few extra pounds are well worth holiday enjoyment.

Another point of view is all about the green salad and chicken. It's employing tricks and tactics to manage to stay on one's weight loss plan and come out at the end of the holiday season feeling healthy and proud about not indulging in unhealthy and fattening foods. And a few pounds lighter.

If you look back at last year's holiday posts both points of view are covered, and I may be posting about both points of view this year, too. But sometimes "either" and "or" are so black and white that we don't see the obvious -- which in this case, for many of us, is "neither."

Each of us needs to do what works best for us but, all in all, 'neither' is probably the most ideal solution. Holiday eating doesn't have to be all or nothing. With busy schedules and so many extra temptations, for some of us, this may be a good time to strive for weight maintenance instead of weight loss (or unstrived for gain).

If you're looking for a better way to deal with food choices during the holidays, try including healthier versions of traditional favorites at your holiday meals. Allow yourself only one alcoholic drink at holiday functions. Limit your more fattening favorites to smaller portions and only at the most special events. Add extra exercise to your daily routine throughout the holidays. And enjoy a mix of festive and healthy foods, going heavy on the healthy and lighter on the festive.

Call this viewpoint "Moderation."

Only you know what will work best for you and which approach will find you at peace with yourself when the holidays are over. For some, the temptation of holiday favorites is so strong that the only way they can make it through is to stay away from holiday treats and concentrate on healthy foods. For others, a few pounds is an acceptable trade-off not to have to worry about every little bite they take throughoout the holidays. And, finally, some are able to walk that fine line between too much and too little, and enjoy a moderate amount of holiday indulgences.

Whatever you do, make a plan and stick to it, and most importantly, have a wonderful holiday season!