14 DAY TRIAL // Say what you will about her movies or her personal life, but Jennifer Aniston has a body many women would kill for: somehow, she manages to stay in top shape throughout the year, regardless of whether she’s on holiday or working.
Thanksgiving is here, so, for countless women, this instantly translates in at least a couple of extra pounds because of so much food laying around and because the holiday also represents a break from working out.
HollywoodLife spoke to Dr. Connie Guttersen, author of “The Sonoma Diet,” and she offered 5 easy tips that Aniston uses to make sure she never gains weight around the holidays, no matter the temptations that may come her way.
The number one rule is never to starve yourself: according to Dr. Gutterson, if you don’t eat anything all day thinking this way you’re saving calories and thus limit the damage done to your waistline at dinner, you’re wrong.
“Make it easier on yourself by eating a light meal before your event,” the expert recommends. This way, you’re certain not to go binge-eating.
“Choose satisfying foods that will curb your hunger such as almonds, nuts, whole grains, and lean meats. Make sure that you have had plenty of water throughout the day, as dehydration can also stimulate hunger and cravings,” Dr. Gutterson also says.
The second tip is to politely insist with your host to serve your own food throughout dinner; this way, you will be able to exercise portion control.
Choose a smaller plate and make sure you stack it up as follows: 50% vegetables and fruit, 25% whole grains, and 25% lean proteins, the same expert recommends.
“One trip to the buffet bar and one serving for the sweets. While you are eating, make it a point to sit down and eat from the plate rather than grazing at the buffet. Once you are finished eating, distance yourself from the buffet or food area,” Dr. Gutterson says.
To avoid piling on the pounds, you should also drink a glass of wine during Thanksgiving dinner but, more importantly, strive to keep active for the holiday.
Of course, cooking healthy is also of vital importance because this is a certified means of keeping calorie intake under control.
“Focus on healthy cooking techniques such as grilling, poaching, steaming, and oven roasting. Oven roasted winter vegetables are great to accompany traditional lean proteins such as turkey, beef, fish, and pork tenderloin,” the expert advises.
For more on these 5 tips, please refer here.