Published: November 28, 2008 10:24 pm      

Self-control key to avoiding weight gain

DANVILLE — Thanksgiving has come and gone, but the battle is just beginning for people intent on watching their waistline during the holiday season.

The time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve can be the toughest for people, inundated with spreads of food at everything from family meals to office holiday get-togethers.

Carol Schriver, regional clinical nutrition manager for Provena United Samaritans Medical Center, said controlling one’s waistline boils down to watching the portions on your plate.

“We should eat in moderation,” she said. “Just because it’s a holiday, doesn’t mean it’s a free for all.”

People face an uphill battle with food during the holidays. Schriver said people are apt to gain as much as three pounds. That might not seem like a lot until one considers it came during a six-week period. It’s not as easy to take that weight off.

To make sure there’s always a healthy option for her in among the holiday spread, Schriver said she oftentimes volunteers to bring a relish tray or recipe, such as a dip, that she has modified by using low-fat ingredients.

“That way you have something to choose that you know is healthy,” she said.

Holiday staples such as cheeses and dips are high in fat as well as the crackers oftentimes served with them. Alcohol contains a lot of calories and the seasonal favorite, eggnog, contains loads of calories.

Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, is high in fat, but many people enjoy it anyway with the excuse that it also contains antioxidants. Not the best decision to make.

“I’ve heard so many justifications for different food and different behaviors,” Schriver said. “But you have to be mindful of what you’re putting in your mouth.”

Louise Free is part of a local Weight Watchers chapter in Danville. Heading into the difficult holiday season, she pushes the conscious effort to watch your portions. Preparing for the meals is another tip she provides.

“Don’t go to the dinner hungry,” Free said. “If you’re hungry, you tend to overeat.”

Eating something in advance helps to curb the potential of overeating.

She also suggests enjoying the other parts of a get-together rather than just the food.

“Enjoy the people, the conversation and get up from the table,” Free said, adding it’s good to either put away or divide of the leftovers early, putting them out of sight.

Shirley “Sammy” Miller of Westville is a member of one of three Takes Pounds Off Sensibly groups in the village. While she also stands as a proponent of watching those portions at holiday meals, Miller said cutting yourself off entirely from holiday treats will only serve to induce cravings.

You shouldn’t deprive yourself during the holiday season, she said and has a saying to go with that.

“Don’t worry about what you do between Christmas and New Years,” Miller said. “Worry about what you do between New Years and Christmas.”