The holidays can be some of our most challenging times. Factors that make them so difficult are family stressors, the abundance of food, and all those darn desserts!
This is a time to reevaluate how we view the holidays. The first Thanksgiving after I was banded was the first time I realized Thanksgiving wasn’t just about the food.
Food used to be the whole reason I looked forward to the holiday and rushed home to have my mother’s cooking. After being banded, I came to enjoy my family and relationships more because I wasn’t so focused on the food. I was truly thankful for the weight loss I had achieved, for the surgery itself, and the life I had to look forward to as a healthier, thinner me!
Here are some hints for holiday dining:
* No dessert tastes as good as thin feels!
* Serve yourself on a small plate rather than the buffet-sized plates.
* Taste small amounts of the foods that you want to eat, but don’t overdo it on any one item.
* Get your protein in before the carbs and sweets.
* Keep in mind that turkey is a very dry meat and often causes problems for the band, so take your time.
* Eat slowly and put the food up when you are done so that you don’t graze all day.
* Allow yourself a small portion for dessert, not the whole slice of pie.
