The time is here for parties, family dinners, and goodies around the house. This is a recipe for disaster, and if you’re not careful it could reverse your fat loss results quicker than you can say Happy Holidays!

I’d like to make it easy for you to stay on track with your healthy eating, even while being tempted by all kinds of holiday foods during this festive time of year, so keep reading for 5 Holiday Party Survival Guide Tips…



Holiday Party Survival Guide Tip #1: Don’t Eat Anything Fried


Fried food is loaded with fat and calories while offering zero nutritional value. It’s a lose-lose! Sure, fries and chips TASTE good, but healthier items also taste good. Just say no to the deep-fried items on the menu. You’ll be leaner, healthier and won’t have greasy fingers. 

Here’s a healthier alternative to frying foods… Use a broiler 
If you simply must have a French fry, then make them at home in your oven. Use sweet potatoes, as these are a more complex carbohydrate. Cut into matchsticks, drizzle with a tablespoon of olive oil along with a dash of salt, then place in your oven on broil. Mix every 5 minutes until the fries are tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. 



Holiday Party Survival Guide Tip #2: Don’t Eat White Bread


White bread products have zero nutritional value and are quickly converted by your body into sugar. So, you really may as well eat a cupcake. Even breads that are technically wheat, but are as soft and smooth as white bread, should be avoided. Don’t be afraid to discard the bread from your sandwich or to push away that bread basket. Your waist will shrink and you’ll lose that bloated feeling that high carbohydrate meals give you. 

Here’s a healthier alternative to white bread… Enjoy Sprouted Grain Bread
If you must have bread, then stick with sprouted. Sprouted grain bread is a lot easier on your digestion and is packed full of nutrients. Sprouted grain breads are often kept in the freezer section since they don’t contain preservatives to prolong shelf life. 



Holiday Party Survival Guide Tip #3: Don’t Eat Creamy Dressings


You were so good to order a salad, but then you ruined it by drenching the salad in fattening creamy dressing. Just a few tablespoons of creamy dressing contain more than 20 grams of fat and hundreds of calories. Same goes for pasta dishes – avoid the ones with creamy, heavy sauces, as these are simply loaded with extra fat and calories. 

Here’s a healthier alternative to creamy dressings… Vinegar Dressing and Red Sauce
Dressing and sauce are meant to lend flavor to salad and noodles, not fat and calories. Vinegar-based dressings pack amazing flavor in with minimal fat and calories. You can even mix your own dressing at home. Take high quality vinegar, fresh lemon juice, salt and pepper, your choice of dried herbs, and a bit of olive oil. 


Holiday Party Survival Guide Tip #4: Don’t Drink Sweet Beverages


‘Tis the season for sugary beverages like egg nog, sweet cocktails, and hot cocoa. Just like white bread, these sugary drinks have zero nutritional value – other than calories. The sheer number of sugar grams in one of these beverages is usually the same as dessert! So before you indulge in a sweet drink, consider changing your order to something less sweet, or count it as your dessert. 

Here’s a healthier alternative to sweet beverages… sweeten with liquid stevia
Carry a small bottle of water-based, liquid stevia and use a little squirt to sweeten your beverage of choice this holiday season without adding any grams of sugar. Ask for your beverage to be made without sugar, and then sweeten it yourself without any repercussions to your fitness results.


Holiday Party Survival Guide Tip #5: Don’t Overindulge on Sugar


Sugar and high fructose corn syrup are the epitome of anti-fitness food. Nothing will destroy your progress, expand your waist and plummet your energy levels like sugar will. If you only take away one tip from this article, please let it be to not overindulge on sugar! The holidays are full of sugary treats, so you must make a conscious effort to keep your intake under control. 

Here’s a healthier alternative to sweet beverages… enjoy some fruit
Don’t turn to artificial sweeteners to get your sweet fix, instead turn to nature’s wholesome source of sugar: fruit. Eat organic fruit that is seasonal and locally grown. Stay away from dried fruit and fruit juices, as these are high in simple calories.

Eating right, along with challenging exercise, is the formula for a toned, lean body. Guarantee your results by teaming up with me.

Together we will come up with a fitness plan that is uniquely yours, one that fits your lifestyle and helps you achieve your goals.

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• Don’t load up on appetizers and then sit down to a full meal. A plate of appetizers has the calories of a meal!
• Look over all of your food options before beginning to eat. Choose a few of your favorites and then fill the rest of your plate with veggies and greens.
• Be careful with liquid! Stick with only one calorie-filled drink and then switch to water.
• Eat a sensible meal before you arrive at the party. This will cut down on party food calories.

​​​​If you are a lover of teriyaki then these subtly sweet meatballs are right up your alley! These make a wonderful appetizer for your holiday party.

Feel free to use liquid stevia rather than the honey if you are looking for an extremely low sugar dish. However, for most of us, this small amount of healthful, raw honey is perfectly A-OK and beneficial.

Serve these tasty meatballs up as an appetizer or serve over arugula or spaghetti squash for a small, fitness-minded meal. Enjoy!

Courtesy of RealHealthyRecipes.com

What you need
Serves 5

1 tablespoon garlic, minced
2 tablespoons ginger, minced
¼ cup scallions, minced, plus more for garnish
1 pound ground beef
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
3 tablespoons coconut aminos
1 tablespoon raw honey
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
½ teaspoon arrowroot starch
3 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Instructions

1. Combine the garlic, ginger and scallions in a food processor. Pulse until well combined and finely minced.

2. Transfer the garlic mixture to a large bowl and add the ground beef and sea salt. Use your hands to mix until well combined. Form the mixture into 20 meatballs, about an inch in diameter.

3. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the sesame oil. Add the meatballs and cook, shaking often, until browned on all sides and cooked through. Remove the meatballs and set aside on a plate.

4. Add the coconut aminos, honey and vinegar to the skillet. In a small bowl whisk the arrowroot starch and water together until fully dissolved. Add to the skillet, mix and simmer until the mixture has thickened, about 2 minutes. Return the meatballs to the skillet and cover in the sauce. Serve immediately, garnish with scallions and sesame seeds.

Nutrition
Four Meatballs equals: 189 calories, 7g fat, 372mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate, 3g fiber, 2g sugar and 23g protein.

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