Eat Without Guilt » Holidays

How to Avoid Overeating During the Holidays

Dinneen — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 16:17:58 +0000

As someone who helps women with their eating, I surprise people all the time when I’m at a holiday party. They see me eating the brie with soft crusty bread (and she’s going back for more!), then later headed to the dessert table for a few holiday cookies (how could she?!). They can’t help wonder how on earth I do it — keep my weight in check and help other women do the same. The trick is to avoid all the typical holiday diet “advice” — avoid certain foods, eat before the party, only take one serving. Instead, you need to approach the holidays (and frankly, ALL year) with an easier and softer approach for both body and mind. Here are some of my favorite suggestions: 1) Make every bite count. Do you want to fill up on all the appetizers and then not have room for dessert? When you… Read more

How to Eat Right and Still Enjoy the Holidays

Dinneen — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 23:02:58 +0000

There are so many temptations during the holiday season it’s no wonder many of us get stressed over how to get through it all while still being able to fit into our jeans come January 1st. As someone who loves food, giving up great food during the holidays for me isn’t an option. And it shouldn’t be for you either. So here are a few ways to bring pleasure — not the pounds — to the holiday festivities: 1) Aim to maintain. I recently heard about someone who skipped her friends holiday party because she was dieting and thought there would be too many tempting foods. To me that’s unfortunate and not so healthy. Instead of trying to completely overhaul your diet and lose weight during the holidays, try to maintain your current weight. And if you really do want to lose weight, be realistic about just how much you… Read more

How to Indulge, Without the Bulge, Over the Holidays

Dinneen — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 20:16:29 +0000

As someone whose job it is to help people lose weight (and keep it off), you might be surprised to hear that, yes, I do indulge a bit during the holidays. Hot chocolate? Pass me a cup. Gingerbread? Mmm, mmm, serve me some. Christmas cookies? Absolutely! And I don’t gain weight. “Impossible,” you say. No, not at all. Now that doesn’t mean I forgo eating my veggies and other healthy foods during the holidays. It just means I relax a bit don’t try to be so vigilant by following a strict regimen. And you should do the same. My philosophy is that there’s no reason not to indulge a bit in something you (or your family) enjoy during the December holidays, provided you: 1) eat with pleasure 2) do it in moderation and 3) get some exercise. Okay, I know. Easier said than done, right? That’s… Read more

Holiday Eating — Without Weight Gain!

Dinneen — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:38:26 +0000

Are you one of those people that enjoy the holidays, but dread the inevitable weight gain that goes along with it? Do you want to attend the holiday parties and social events, but fear you’ll lose control once you see the dessert table? With the constant temptations of calorie-laden food, it can be a challenge to get through the holiday season without putting on a few extra pounds. So how to get through this “Season of Eating” without weight gain? Here are some of my favorite and helpful tips: 1) Make every bite count. When you arrive at a party survey the table and decide which foods you love the most, or special foods you only get during the holidays. Whether its pecan pie, creamy fudge, or another tasty treat that’s your favorite — have some of that and remind yourself you can have the other foods at a… Read more