It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

...and if your family is anything like mine, you'll have the smorgasbord of festive dishes to go along with it.  One news source I was reading said that the average person could consume up to 6,000 calories on Christmas day, three times what he or she needs.  And it's easy to see how: Christmas is second only to Thanksgiving in terms of options for consumption.  Everybody dusts off their old "best" recipes (as tradition dictates), and of course you have to have some of everything -- because Christmas isn't Christmas without Aunt Millie's seven-layer chocolate cake. 

Now, don't get me wrong.  By no means am I advocating flying in the face of time-honored traditions, or completely depriving yourself on the holiday.  What I am suggesting, however, is a notion that should stick with us throughout the year: moderation.  Before you dive into the feast, take a step back and think.  And as you're thinking, here are a few helpful pointers:

• Psychologically speaking, when you crave food, what you're really wanting is the first bite and the last bite.  Lots of different weight loss programs advocate what they call the "three bite rule" -- relish three bites of a dish (especially when it comes to dessert), and you'll realize that you're satisfied.  Much more than those, and you'll find that you're mindlessly eating.
• Which dishes can you only get as part of this celebration, and which are available to you throughout the year?  If you're going to invest calories, make them count -- choose the special ones.
• If you have the option, choose to put your food on a smaller-sized plate.  Your mind will be more satisfied with a smaller, fuller plate than a larger, emptier one.  Plus, once you've filled that space, there won't be any more room to keep adding on.
• Think of your plate as a pie chart.  Try to fill 50% with vegetables and 25% with lean protein, and the other 25% can be used for carbs and other "craving" foods.
• By all means, if you are truly craving a particular type of food, go ahead and indulge a little.  You'll end up eating everything else in the place and you still won't be satisfied otherwise.  (But notice I said "a little" -- see my first point about "three bites" above.)

Most of all, keep in mind that holidays are not primarily about food.  It's hard to think that way sometimes -- especially when every time family or friends get together this time of the year, there seems to be food involved.  But remember, nobody is holding a gun up to your head and forcing you to eat everything that's offered.  Make wise choices now, and your body will thank you for it later. 

As I bring this installment to a close, let me take the opportunity to wish each of you a safe, happy, and blessed Christmas!