Healthy Tips for Picnic Celebrations
Holidays such as Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, or any picnic
holiday can cause break-downs in our otherwise healthy Take Shape
for Life eating plan. It is extremely important to be very aware that
picnics can pack thousands of calories that we would not normally
indulge in. So, what should you do?
1. Continue to practice your healthy eating habits on the picnic
day. Do not skip meals or save calories for the “big meal”. That
sets you up to overeat!!!
2. If going to a party or picnic, offer to bring an appetizer and
side dish. That way you can guarantee there will be healthy
choices for you.
3. Be watchful of your portions and choose NOT to have the
desert!! Instead, maybe bring a box of sugar free popsicles to
share with the crowd or have a cup of coffee instead!
4. Make sure that you do not slack off from your daily exercise
routine the day of the picnic. Try adding 10 or 15-minute brisk
walks twice that day with available family members or the partygoers.
Plan active activities such as bike riding, ping-pong or
taking a hike instead of sitting around and talking or watching
TV.
5. If you are throwing the party, have lots of vegetables
available, instead of chips only. Prepare lower fat dips and offer
salsa. Explain to your guests in advance your determination to
make this a healthier holiday celebration, and ask them to keep
this in mind when preparing any dish they may be bringing.
6. Stay away from high calorie beverages such as sodas, juices,
smoothies, and blended coffee drinks. There are nearly 150
calories in one 12-ounce can of soda or juice. Smoothies and
coffee drinks are often 250-500 calories, excluding the whipped
cream. Alcohol is packed full of calories and carbs. It can also
cause you to let down your defenses and overeat or make poor
food choices. All of these indulgences will kick you out of the fat
burning stage and you’ll have to start over (in a sense).
7 Make sure to have a Medifast supplement before going to the
picnic... ALWAYS plan ahead.
8. At the picnic choose healthy foods and stay away from the
chips and bread and corn.
9. If the holiday party is at your house, send some of the leftovers
home with your guests, especially the desserts!!
10. Remember to eat slowly, which will help you to eat less and
feel full and satisfied.
11. During holiday weekends, make your goal to maintain your
weight and not to gain any!
12. Be positive. Don’t let your weight and cravings take control
of you.
13. Holiday traveling, don’t forget to pack your convenient
Medifast meals! Put Medifast in zip lock bags and use them to
cushion around items in your suitcase. Also bring a cooler full
of fresh vegetables and water.
14. Remember to focus on 'fellowship' and not on 'food'!
15. Habits are habit forming... People form habits but habits transform
people! Let's Take Shape for Life! Let’s transform our thinking to
become choosy about what we eat. Let’s make it a habit to select
healthy foods and plan to integrate Medifast foods as part of our
‘prescription for life’!
