The holiday season is here, bringing with it all of our favorite festive flavors—rich desserts,
savory dishes, and much more! But with so much delicious food readily accessible it’s easy to lose sight of how much we’re consuming. No need to worry, though! You can still enjoy everything you love about Christmas without overindulging.
In this article, we’ll give simple, practical ways to help you control your portions throughout the holidays, allowing you to enjoy every mouthful while feeling great afterwards. Ready to indulge mindfully while staying on track?
Let us start with a quick question:
How do you usually feel after a holiday meal?
- A) Overstuffed and sluggish
- B) Happy and satisfied
- C) Perfect!
Take a moment to consider your typical experience, and then let’s get into some
recommendations that will help you attain the perfect “just right” balance this season. Here are some helpful portion control tips for holiday meals:
- Use Smaller Plates
Instead of using large dinner plates, choose smaller salad or appetizer dishes. This inevitably
limits the quantity of food you may place on your plate and helps manage portion sizes without feeling deprived.
- Follow the Plate Method
Divide your plate visually into sections:
– Half the plate should be filled with non-starchy vegetables
- One quarter of the plate for lean proteins
- One quarter for starchy foods or grains
3. Practice Mindful Eating
- Eat slowly and savor each bite
- Put your fork down between bites
- Chew thoroughly
– Pay attention to hunger and fullness cues
- Strategic Serving Techniques
- Serve yourself smaller initial portions
- Wait 10-15 minutes before getting seconds
– Choose foods you truly enjoy rather than eating everything available
- Pre-Meal Strategies
- Eat a light, protein-rich snack before the meal to curb extreme hunger
- Drink water before and after the meal
- Don’t skip meals earlier in the day to “save room”
- Make Conscious Choices
- Sample multiple dishes in small amounts
- Prioritize your favorite foods
- Be selective about desserts and rich side dishes
- Listen to Your Body
- Stop eating when you feel satisfied, not stuffed
- It’s okay to leave food on your plate
- Remember that holidays are about connection, not just eating
These tips can help you enjoy holiday meals while maintaining reasonable portion sizes and
preventing overeating