Bariatric Tip of the Week: Avoiding Holiday Diet Derailment

We have approached the fall and winter months. This means cold weather, holiday parties, and LOTS of food and beverages. But, this time of year doesn't have to derail your eating plan. It is important to stay focused on your long term goals; here are some suggestions for being successful:

1. Plan ahead and bring your own "healthy" food to holiday parties and get-togethers
2. Purchase a gym membership during the cold months so that you can continue to exercise and de-stress during the holidays
3. Keep a food journal; write down everything you are eating so that you remain aware of all the extra hors d'oeuvres and cocktails
4. Trim calories where you can by adjusting recipes using low fat milk and cheese, artificial sweeteners, and other lower calorie products
5. Avoid skipping meals; it causes your metabolism to work less efficiently and makes you more prone to overeat later in the day