Great Holiday Tips from Alana Sugar

I thought this was such great information, I wanted to post it on the blog!
Thanks, Alana ... I'll have to share these tips with my friends as well.
Here's to surviving the holidays!

TIPS TO GET THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS

• Always plan ahead for parties so you don’t show up starving - try not to go to a party really hungry (same goes for grocery shopping).
  
  
• Make sure you balance your meals throughout your day with proteins, healthy fats, and fresh vegetables, along with a moderate amount of whole grains (for something different, try 100% whole dark rye bread).
  
  
• Don't eat dessert during the day if you know you are likely to eat it at a party.
  
  
• Keep your exercise up during the holidays – it’s a stress-buster, a blood-sugar godsend (!), and you always feel so much better in your own skin!
  
  
• Try as best as possible not to overeat at parties, on Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukah, or New Years Day - remember your internal scale: 0 = starving, 10 = so full you need a stretcher back to bed - stop eating when you are between 5 and 6, meaning you are done and satisfied, but NOT FULL where you feel the weight of the food in your belly and you are uncomfortable! In other words, linger over your food as though you are savoring every bite!
  
  
• Allow yourself dessert on certain days only such as Christmas, Christmas Eve, New Years, Thanksgiving, Hanukah, a party - but do not eat dessert every day during the holiday season.
  
  
• If you know you will be faced with bread, pasta, chips, rice, pastries, and desserts, it is best to choose one, and preferably the one made with the best ingredients…cheesecake is healthier than a frosted party cake… an oatmeal-walnut cookie made with eggs and butter is better than sugar cookies or peppermint candies, or other very sweet confections.
  
  
• Only eat what is absolutely delicious - DON'T "WAIST" the CALORIES on what does not taste wonderful to you. If pumpkin pie is not a favorite of yours, don't eat it just because it is there – rather, save yourself for a dessert that is delicious - something that you will savor and truly appreciate.
  
  
• Don’t eat sugary foods alone. They must accompany food that contains proteins, fats, and fiber in order to slow the absorption of sugar down into your system.
  
  
• Sip your drink - try to stick to one alcoholic beverage, if that, at each event and sip it slowly. Refill glasses with sparkling water and lemon or lime.
  
  
• For sugar cravings, eat a tablespoon of almond butter or natural peanut butter (no hydrogenated oils or sugars added), or a small handful of macadamia nuts or walnuts. Extra virgin olive oil is readily available and helps to stabilize blood sugar, give you a feeling of satisfaction, raise your HDL cholesterol, and lower your triglycerides (when combined with other healthy foods).