Christmas Party Season Can Be Hazardous

For people who struggle with their weight, the holidays can be a major challenge. You want to make healthy choices, but the choices available at your Christmas parties are likely to overburden your reserves of self-control. Depending on the event, continual grazing is a common party activity. Alcoholic drinks are high in calories but low in food value. Alcohol does not help with your self-control, so overeating is more likely. The food choices are likely to be varied and plentiful, but they are likely to lean away from the healthier options. There is usually not much kale on the holiday buffets.

So what can you do to minimize the harmful impact of holiday parties on your health? Fashion and health magazines sometimes promote gimmicky tricks like wearing something tight to a Christmas party so you feel fuller faster and are less likely to overeat, but that seems unrealistic. Don’t you want to choose your holiday attire based on what looks and feels the best rather than what outfit can double as an accountability partner?

Here’s a better idea: sample freely but sparingly. Try to avoid saying ungracious things to your host about the food making you fat. Accept the Christmas treats that are offered with appreciation and the joy of the season. Rather than denying yourself access to the holiday goodies, a more effective strategy would be to make a prior commitment to portion control. Have half of a slice, or decide to be content with just a taste rather than a full plate. Of course, for many overeaters the problem is not the size of the first plate but the number of plates that is the problem.

Attempting to lose weight can be challenging and emotional. If you have tried and failed repeatedly, perhaps it is time for you to consider professional help. If you would like to determine whether you are a candidate for robotic bariatric surgery, contact us at Advanced Surgical and Weight Loss Institute, 375 Courtenay Parkway, Merritt Island, FL. Dr. Velarde has over ten years of experience in bariatric surgery, and he is fluent in both Spanish and English.