Don’t Let Holiday Parties Wreck Your Diet Plan – DrGullo.com – Weight Loss Tips for Surviving Get-Togethers

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Let’s face it: the holidays can be stressful. Not only can all the baked goodies wreak havoc on your diet plan, but you also have to worry about juggling multiple parties and get-togethers. Relax, take a breath, and get a massage to lower your cortisol levels. Once you’re de-stressed, use Dr. Gullo’s diet plan strategies to map out a healthy eating strategy for the holidays. Holiday parties and potluck dinners don’t have to ruin your diet plan. Whether you’re hosting a potluck or bringing a dish to share, you can challenge your family and friends to a “healthy cooking contest.” Assign the guests to categories of foods (appetizers, salads, etc.) so that you don’t end up with a table full of desserts. You might also consider sharing your favorite low-fat, low-cal recipes. And by preparing a healthy dish yourself, you can exert greater control over your food choices.

Seven-Layer Salad (This salad is jam-packed with a variety of veggies, uses nonfat yogurt for a dressing, and has just 84 calories per serving; make it even healthier by using soy bacon instead of regular)

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Greek Vegetable Salad (With just eight calories per serving, this healthy dish will fit perfectly into your diet plan)

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Curried Squash Muffins (Skip the obligatory white flour dinner rolls and try these instead; they use soy milk and vitamin-rich squash for a healthy kick, with a hint of cayenne pepper to satisfy your taste buds)

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Lemon Veggie Couscous (Remember to use low-sodium chicken broth and whole wheat couscous for a side that’s superior to butter-drenched potatoes)

Roasted Root Veggies (Roasted veggies make a great potluck dish; lightly sprinkle veggies with olive oil and roast at 450 degrees Fahrenheit until tender – try parsnips, carrots, and squash)

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Braised White Beans (White beans have 13 g of fiber and 19 g of protein per cup)

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Garden Vegetable Crustless Quiche (This recipe uses egg substitute, reduced-fat cheese, and fat-free cottage cheese to keep the calorie count down; if you’re not a fan of zucchini slices, substitute your favorite veggie)