Gearing up for 4th of July weekend? Here's some helpful wellness tips for you and your family.
1. Check it out. First things first. When you arrive at the party, wait at least 30 minutes before eating. This will give you time to relax, get comfortable in your surroundings, and survey your food choices on the buffet before diving in. A buffet is an invitation to eat all you can, and unless you carefully scrutinize it and make wise choices, you're likely to overeat.
2. Ask before you eat. Ask the party host what is being served before you arrive so you can adjust these calories in to your daily intake.
3. Skip the appetizers. If you need a little nibble before the meal, go for the veggies, fruit, salsa, or a small handful of nuts. Bring your own appetizers if necessary to ensure a healthy option is available.
4. No skipping meals. Always eat normally on the day of a party. People who skip meals to save up calories tend to over eat everything in sight once they get there. Eating sensibly throughout the day will take the edge off the appetite and empower a bit of restraint. Start with a nourishing breakfast, have a light lunch, then a small snack or salad shortly before the event.
5. Alternate alcohol with non-alcoholic beverages. Alcoholic drinks are loaded with calories. Cut your alcohol calories in half by alternating a cup of water between alcoholic beverages. Bring your own non-alcoholic drinks to ensure there is something there you enjoy and can be lighter in calories.
6. Chew gum. When you don't want to eat, pop a piece of gum into your mouth. This works well when you're cooking or when you're trying not to dive into the buffet of food. Other tips include: Trimming back on condiments, wearing clothes that you feel good in, sticking to smaller portions of foods that are special holiday items, and focusing on getting family and friends more active during parties.
Are you interested in a wellness program for your team? Contact Carrie Vodnik, Wellness Manager at [email protected].
