Handling special events with ease

sunshine_girl

Wanted to share this, I typed it up a few months ago for another site.

Vacations, celebrations and holiday gatherings offer breaks from routine, but you can meet a lot of food on these occasions! Not to worry. With some thought in advance, you can handle these speical times without disrupting your eating and activity plans. Keep "taking care of yourself" as top priority. Then consider what tools you'll need and actions you can take to be true to your goal. Planning ahead is the key.

Plan for positive eating.

When you eat away from home, you're not always in control of the foods you encounter, the portions serverd or the preparation methods. But you always have choices. Here are some ideas to help you in various situations:


Going on vacation

Whether you're going camping or staying in a hotel, there are choices you can make before you leave home to ensure a healthy getaway.

*bring your own food. Pack convenient non perishable snacks, especially for days you are driving or flying.

*Use the internet to research hotels, restaurants, and food stores in the areas you will be visiting. That way you will know what is available.

*call your chosen hotel or facility and have them send you their menu so you know what is available in advance. Find out if there is a refrigerator you can use. Ask them to remove tempting items from the mini bar.

*Stay at hotels with access to fitness facilities.

*Keep a cooler in the car for bottled water, fresh fruit, and other healthful snacks.

*Try to keep your regular eating Schedule, allowing for time zone changes.

sunshine_girl

Wanted to share this, I typed it up a few months ago for another site.

Vacations, celebrations and holiday gatherings offer breaks from routine, but you can meet a lot of food on these occasions! Not to worry. With some thought in advance, you can handle these speical times without disrupting your eating and activity plans. Keep "taking care of yourself" as top priority. Then consider what tools you'll need and actions you can take to be true to your goal. Planning ahead is the key.

Plan for positive eating.

When you eat away from home, you're not always in control of the foods you encounter, the portions serverd or the preparation methods. But you always have choices. Here are some ideas to help you in various situations:


Going on vacation

Whether you're going camping or staying in a hotel, there are choices you can make before you leave home to ensure a healthy getaway.

*bring your own food. Pack convenient non perishable snacks, especially for days you are driving or flying.

*Use the internet to research hotels, restaurants, and food stores in the areas you will be visiting. That way you will know what is available.

*call your chosen hotel or facility and have them send you their menu so you know what is available in advance. Find out if there is a refrigerator you can use. Ask them to remove tempting items from the mini bar.

*Stay at hotels with access to fitness facilities.

*Keep a cooler in the car for bottled water, fresh fruit, and other healthful snacks.

*Try to keep your regular eating Schedule, allowing for time zone changes.

sunshine_girl

Navigating a restaurant menu

Choose restaurants that offer a variety of foods, rather than just fried foods.\\Ask for what you need, for example:

*Ask questions about how the food is prepared.

*Ask for half portions, or that half your dinner be put in a box.

*Ask that sauces and salad dressings be served on the side.

*Ask for items not on the menu- the restaurant may just have them.

*Ask for an extra plate so you can share with others or just get the excess off your own plate.

*Request that the bread basket be removed from the table.

*Select an appetizer as your main entree, to control portion sizes.

*Choose low-fat foods

*look for entrees (fish chicken meats) that are baked, broiled or grilled.
Choose baked potato or other vegetable instead of fried potatoes.

*Select steamed, grilled or roasted vegetables without sauces.




Coping with Buffets

*View the entire buffet lane.

*Take a moment to decide what you want to select, then go through the buffet line once, picking the meal you have decided on.

*Remember, you would have never ordered all that food off the menu, so don't feel like you are being deprived.



Preparing for Parties

*Remember these occasions are not about the food or drinks, but are times to meet new people and catch up with friends and relatives.

* If you think appropraite foods won't be available, call in advance and ask if you can make something or bring something. This way you know there will be at least one thing you will enjoy.

*Never arrive at a party hungry:have something to eat before you go.

*Keep a low calories beverage or water in your hand at all times.

*Stand away from food laden tables and bowls of chips or nuts.

*Decide before you go to the party how many hors d'oeuvres you will have.

*Remember you dont have to eat everything that is served. If it doesn't taste good, stop eating.

*If dancing is available use it as an opportunity to get some physical activity.

If you don't like the party, don't stay too long. Often we eat because we don't know what else to do.

keiko

These are good tips, thanks for sharing them!

Fitness_Chick

bumpin Sunshine:flowerforyou:

Fitness_Chick