Question: Can all those party foods really pack on the weight? Or is holiday weight gain just a myth?
The truth is that most people gain just a little over one pound during the holidays. However studies have found that people who are overweight tend to gain more - an average of five pounds during the same period. What's more, those pounds don't necessarily come off as soon as January 1st rolls around. They're more likely to accumulate.
Weight loss during the holidays may not be realistic, but weight maintenance is a reasonable goal. Make healthy choices most of the time and indulge in small servings of those treats you really like.
Question: What are the best and worst choices when it comes to hors d'ouevres?
When it comes to calories and fat, some of the worst offenders are miniature stuffed pastries. Egg rolls, spring rolls and breaded shrimp appetizers are usually cooked in vegetable oil - even those frozen ones you reheat in the oven. Puff pastry and phyllo pastry hors d'ouevres are made with butter and some even contain trans fat. And of course, anything stuffed with cheese will be higher in saturated fat. Here's how they fare in terms of calories and fat:
Question: What are some lower fat choices of hors d'ouevres?
If you're entertaining and like the convenience of frozen hors d'ouevres, exceptionally low fat choices include shrimp rings, frozen bruschetta (2 pieces have 45 calories and no fat) and mini chicken skewers (2 pieces have 50 to 70 calories and about 1 gram of fat).
Other low fat hors d'ouevres include smoked salmon on pumpernickel rounds, shrimp and cocktail sauce, sushi, cold spring rolls (not fried), crackers with antipasto, and, of course, veggies and dip. Lower fat dips include black bean, hummus, and tzatziki.
Question: Any other tips to prevent holiday weight gain?
- Don't arrive hungry. Eat a protein-rich snack before you go. A yogurt and a piece of fruit, a skim milk latte, an energy bar or a bowl of vegetable soup will take the edge off your appetite and prevent you from overeating.
- Step away from the hors d'ouevres. Make one plate of the foods you really want, and then move away from the buffet table to keep yourself from continuously eating.
- Eat slowly. It takes roughly 20 minutes for your stomach to tell your brain you're full. If you don't inhale your food, you'll eat less.
- Drink cautiously. Limit yourself to no more than one drink an hour. Alternate alcoholic drinks with sparkling water, cranberry and soda or tomato juice.
- Fit in exercise. Even a quick 20 minute workout burns calories and can reduce your appetite.
