6 Ways to Enjoy Mother’s Day Brunch, Guilt-Free
Happy Mother’s Day! Enjoy your food without worrying about having to hit the gym 24-7 to work off all of those calories; Diet Coach Judy Weitzman offers tips on how to enjoy mom, Mother’s Day, and food this special holiday, and not bust your waistline…
Happy Mother’s Day! One of the most popular ways to celebrate is going to brunch, and brunches are usually served buffet-style. This could be a license for disaster with all of the beautifully presented food, screaming your name.
Here are some tips on how to enjoy your Mother’s Day buffet without expanding your waistline in the process…
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Kick-start your day.
Get up and work out first thing. It will set the tone for the day. There are organized walks in most cities for Mother’s Day, so if you want to be outside, that is a fun way to support a worthy cause. After your workout, hydrate! Drinking lots of water will give you a false full. Plus be sure to have a mini breakfast so you can take the edge off of your hunger before you arrive at the brunch buffet.
Delay, delay, delay.
When you arrive, visit with your family and delay going to the buffet … by delaying your start, you will eat less. The next step is to check out the inventory before filling your plate. Identify how you want to spend your calories, after you have assessed what you really want to have, take a plate knowing you will only fill it once. To optimize the nutrition and the calories you spend, fill half your plate with vegetables.
Related: How to Eat Healthy, Even at Restaurants
Drinks
Just like you did with the food, instead of starting with a cocktail, delay having alcohol and start with water (flat or sparkling). Then after you have socialized for a bit, order your drink. This is an easy way to drink less alcohol. Better yet, offer to be the ‘designated driver’ and don’t drink at all.
Eat small amounts of the foods you love
The last thing you want to do is leave the brunch feeling deprived. If you want to try a dessert or a high-fat appetizer, go for it. Take a very small portion, cut it into itty-bitty bites, and eat it slowly to savor the flavor.
Slow down
It is easier to control how much you are eating by eating slowly. It takes a few minutes for your brain to realize your stomach is full. One way to slow your pace is to set your fork down between bites and sip some water. Chew each bite thoroughly before you swallow and don’t take another bite until your mouth is empty. Sound silly? Pay attention next time you eat. Many of us shovel it in without realizing how fast we are eating. My cousin calls it, “eating like a vacuum cleaner.” Enjoy the conversation with your mom and the family. Remember, it is just food. Your memories of Mother’s Day will be about the people, not the food.
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More strategies
“It’s not the minutes spent at the table that put on weight, it’s the seconds.” And ‘seconds’ are not an option if you are watching your waistline. Here are some other tips to make it a little easier:
- Position yourself away from the buffet table
- Take your mind off food by engaging in conversation.
- Be active. If someone is hosting Mother’s Day at their home, play with the little ones or volunteer to help serve and clean up. The art of distraction works well.
Most importantly…
Even if your mom is only here in spirit, celebrate your cherished memories and celebrate all the other moms in your life. Whether it is an aunt, a grandmother or a dear friend, we all know lots of moms. Love them with all your heart and make it a magical day!
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Category: Health, Nutrition, Weight Loss
