Wondering how to get through the holidays without packing on the pounds?
Connie Diekman, director of university nutrition for Washington University in St. Louis, has some tips:
*Don’t starve yourself before a big meal. It just makes you eat more.
*Survey meal options before loading up your plate.
*Choose more veggies, but don’t skip favorite foods. Just choose smaller portions and eat slowly to savor every bite.
*Find time for a walk. It relieves stress and burns calories.
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*Choose dark chocolate for a sweet treat; nuts and fruit covered with dark chocolate are even better.
*Have a plan for eating, so that you control the eating not the other way around.
*Plan, plan, plan. And if the plan fails, get right back on track. One slip is not a pattern
*Forget making promises to make up for overeating with exercise later. If you want to eat those holiday treats, monitor portions and schedule that walk.
Distributed via McClatchy-Tribune