Holiday Triggers Causing Weight Gain

What are your holiday triggers? 

Do you salivate at the sight of peppermint bark?

Or wear your extra stretchy yoga pants when you know mashed potatoes is being served? 

During the holidays, it’s important to take note of your triggers and understand when you feel tempted to overdo it with food. Ignoring the triggers will lead to weight gain & gut rot.

Here are some examples:

• Attending a cocktail party or a wedding
• Corporate cafeteria leftovers (you know, the area people bring all the items they don’t want at home.) 
• When you’re watching TV
• Desserts delivered to the house for the holidays
• Bringing treats to your kid’s school
• Preparing food for a party you’re throwing
• Family or corporate holiday parties
• Cocktail parties with drinks and tons of hor deserves

Holiday Hot Tip: PLAN AHEAD

Make SURE TO PLAN before you attend a gathering or party. 

Find out what will be served: If possible, ask the host what kinds of foods and drinks will be served so you’ll know ahead of time how to prepare. 

Bring a dish to your holiday dinner: Don’t be afraid to call ahead and offer to bring a healthier plate to share with the other guests. This isn’t being rude, it’s taking care of yourself so you can spend your energy on having a good time and not worrying about how you’ll feel after you eat.

Pack a healthy snack: Throw a healthy protein bar in your bag so you’ll have something to snack on besides the chips and dip.  NO COW is a fav.

Don’t show up hungry: Eat a small meal before you go to a dinner or party. If you show up starving you’ll be likely to wolf down everything in sight. Try one of the following protein-rich mini meals to tide you over and keep you from pigging out on sugar.

MY FAVORITE MINI MEALS ARE:

1.   A healthy protein like turkey slices or tempeh with avocado
2.   Greek or non-dairy yogurt with nuts (GUT friendly!)
3.   A smoothie
4.   A cup of soup
5.   A healthy protein bar
6.   Gluten-free crackers with hummus. Simple Mills is a fav.
7.   Any protein and vegetables

And if you do indulge, let go of the guilt and shame, it won’t serve you! Instead include this simple side in your meal plan this week!

LEMON GINGER QUINOA

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 small carrot, grated

1-inch piece of ginger, grated

1 small onion, minced

2 large garlic cloves, minced

2 cups quinoa

3 ⅓ cups water

½ teaspoon sea salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

½ lemon, juiced

Sauté the vegetables. Add extra virgin olive oil to a large sauce pan over medium heat. When the pan is hot, add carrot, ginger, onion and garlic. Sauté for about 2 to 3 minutes.

Add the quinoa. After sautéing the vegetables, add quinoa, water, sea salt, and black pepper. Stir and allow the quinoa to steam -- with the cover on -- for about 20 minutes on low heat. The quinoa is done when the water is absorbed. Turn off the flame and fluff the quinoa with a fork. Add lemon juice. Cover and allow the quinoa to absorb the lemon juice.

Serving suggestions. This quinoa can be served with a variety of stir-fried vegetables including cabbage, kale, broccoli, etc.

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Food regulates metabolism and creates building blocks to ditch the stubborn weight. Eat well, live well, and follow your gut. 

Be Gutsy as a Mother,

-Mary

Ps: If you’re sick of feeling “blah” from the holiday hangovers, try more gut healthy tonics in my 4-week Gut Revival Holiday Edition. Early access to the program is now available. Start avoiding the post holiday gut rot today! Click here for details-> HOLIDAYS

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