1.) Focus on Family & Friends-Not food

• It’s very easy for food to become the focus at social gatherings-especially the Holidays.  Cookies, stuffing, Egg Nog, fruit cake, cocktails, etc.  But this season try to move your focus to your friends and family.  Instead of double fisting cookies, sit and share holiday stories with a child or visit with a family member on a next to the fire.  Make memories not pounds!

2.) Plan Ahead-don’t go hungry

• It’s so easy to overdo it when we are hungry and walk into a dining room and are faced with large amounts of delicious food!  It’s kind of like grocery shopping when you are hungry-you end up buying a lot more of the foods you probably wouldn’t have purchased had you not been hungry!  To prevent this-try timing your meals in such a way that you have a Medifast Meal prior to arriving to a party or prior to entertaining.  This will help you focus more on friends and family and less on your hunger.

• Another great idea is to drink your water!   We recommend at least 64 oz of fluid/day for hydration.  However, another great benefit of drinking all your water is an increased satiety or fullness. Water intake will help stave off hunger and “hold you over.”  Plan on drinking a 16oz bottle of water during the hour before you will be eating.  This will help you feel more satisfied on less food!

3.) Take Control-choose smaller plates, avoid family style dining

• Everyone loves Holiday parties!  When friends and family extend the invite, accept it graciously, but let them know you are watching what you’re eating.  This is perfectly acceptable to do-you would tell them if you had a food allergy right?  If they are concerned that their menu doesn’t fit your needs-offer to bring a dish or two to share. This way you’re in charge of the menu and can pack your favorite Medifast Meals or bring a Lean & Green friendly dish to help you stay on Plan and still get to party!

• Also, always opt for the smaller plates.  While this can be more of a mind trick than anything else-filling up a smaller plate vs putting very small amounts on a larger plate can be very satisfying-mentally.  Ask for a salad plate if they are not readily provided.  If smaller plates are not available-hold the large plate in your hand and fold your thumb over the edge –hold the plate like this while you are making your selections and don’t let your food pass the tip of  your thumb at any point on the plate (think of an imaginary line running from the point of your thumb around the plate).

4.) Move before munching

• This is a great time of year to take advantage of the great outdoors.  Hiking, sledding, cross country skiing, snow angels, snowmen, etc are all great seasonal activities.  Don’t let the colder temps hold you back from being active-its all the more important if you will be partaking in Holiday parties!

• If you are not an cold weather person-treat yourself to a new fitness dvd and make it a regular part of your day.  Get family and friends involved for a holiday themed workout.  For example: take a Turkey Trot or Christmas Day Cardio!

5.) Make your cocktails “mocktails”

• Make an early resolution not to drink your calories (unless of course it’s a Medifast Meal).  Egg Nog, spirits, wine, and beer are all typical holiday beverages.  But you can enjoy fun, refreshing “mocktails” without the carbohydrates and calories!  Try mixing  1 packet Essential1 Antioxidant Raspberry Acai Flavor Infuser with 8oz sparkling water into a 16oz glass, squeeze in a  ¼ of a lemon or lime (1 Condiment), drop lemon/lime wedge into glass, stir well, and fill the glass with crushed ice, ENJOY!

Typical holiday foods to swap out on the 5&1
Stuffing –Unless you want to get creative with the Medifast Pancakes (prepare ahead of time, cut up in to cubes and place on a baking sheet to toast.  Use these in place of your “stuffing bread.”  This would be a great thing to prepare ahead of time for yourself so you can easily grab it when everyone else is loading up on the off Plan version.
Mashed potatoes-These are easily substituted with mashed cauliflower!  Steam ½ cup of cauliflower and place in blender-add 1Tbsp of skim milk and about 5 sprays of Imitation Butter spray-blend until creamy!  This counts as 1 Green option, and 1-1/2 condiments.
Sweet potatoes-Try switching things up this year with some Spaghetti Squash (1/2 cup is 1 Green option!)
Pumpkin Pie-For a yummy season treat-mix ½  tsp of Pumpkin pie spice into 1 Medifast Vanilla pudding-stir until smooth-top with 1 Tbsp of Whipped Cream (from can!) This counts as 1 Medifast Meal and 2 Condiments.
Green Bean Casserole-Lighten this up by using ½ cup of canned green beans, ½ cup cooked mushrooms, ½ Medifast Cream of Broccoli soup (prepared), ¼ tsp onion powder, ¼ tsp garlic powder. Top with ½ Medifast Parmesan Cheese puffs (crushed). This counts as 2 Green Options, 2 Condiments, 1 Medifast Meal.
Typical holiday foods to avoid on the 5&1
Egg Nog-This is so high in fat, calories and carbs it just not worth it!
Ham-It’s so high in sodium-turkey is a better option!
Corn-Try another vegetable in place of this!
Fruit Cake-a double whammy-Fruit & Grain!
Cranberry Sauce-essentially all carbohydrates!
For More great tips-check out the Holiday Survival Guide