Here’s a holiday gift you don’t need: a few extra pounds. Fortunately, you can take steps to enjoy the season’s special occasions while maintaining a balanced, healthy diet—and your weight.
To assess how much you know about holiday weight gain, decide if the following statements are true or false, then check your answers.
- Many Americans gain five pounds or more during the holiday season.
- Having a light protein snack before a holiday meal can help you eat less at the party.
- To avoid gaining weight, you have to avoid all holiday desserts and special foods.
- Not maintaining your exercise routine during the holidays can contribute to weight gain.
- Substituting lower-fat, lower-calorie ingredients in traditional holiday recipes can help prevent weight gain.
- Limiting alcohol intake can cut calories, which in turn can help you maintain your weight.
- Not standing near the buffet table can help you eat less at holiday parties.
- Skipping meals can help you lose weight during the holidays.
- Eating slowly can help you eat less.
- The holiday season is a good time to try to lose weight.
Scroll down for answers
Answers
- False – most gain about 1 pound, but the weight hangs around during the spring and summer. Over time, it can be a major contributor to weight gain.
- True – going to a party hungry is likely to cause you to overeat.
- False – enjoy them, but eat small portions of high-sugar, high-fat foods.
- True – making an effort to stay physically active can keep extra pounds from accumulating.
- True – for example, use fat-free or low-fat sour cream instead of regular.
- True – and at this time of year, avoiding high-calorie, high-fat eggnog is a good place to start.
- True.
- False – it’s best to eat three balanced meals a day.
- True.
- False – doing so is not realistic. Instead, try to maintain your preholiday weight.
For more information, visit the Weight Control Information Network at win.niddk.nih.gov.