See recipe featured below

Many people set goals at the beginning of a new year. In America, one of the most common goals is to lose weight. Many fail over the course of a year, with a renewed motivation towards the end of the year. But with Halloween being stuffed with candy, a gigantic turkey with stuffing being the norm at Thanksgiving, and cookies galore during the winter holidays (not to mention alcohol at New Year’s Eve), it can be easy yet troubling to get off-track of a diet during this period. This is a guide to avoiding the blues come Valentine’s Day by keeping off the weight you worked so hard to lose.

Avoid the standard food

For many holidays, fattening and unhealthy food is commonplace. Instead of candy on Halloween, try apples or another form of sweet fruit to fulfill cravings. Turn off your lights to keep trick-or-treaters from guilting you into making a mid-evening run to the grocery store. Nobody hands out all their candy; what’s stopping you from filling up on it later?

While nobody wants to avoid turkey on Thanksgiving, fortunately, you do not have to. Turkey is a healthy food, so long as it has not been fried and the skin has been removed. As an alternative to casserole, try sauteing fresh green beans in a little olive oil. Avoid the gravy and desserts, and you will do fine.

Donate to charity

If you cannot resist the urge to give out candy, try donating whatever you have left to a local school, food bank, or shelter for children to enjoy well after the holidays are over.

Bake at home

Bakery foods are often loaded with sugar to keep them extra sweet and extra addictive. Avoid baked good like the Plague, but if you must have cookies, try making oatmeal-apple-raisin cookies from the recipe below:

Oatmeal-Apple-Raisin Cookies

• 3/4 cup butter
• 1 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup milk
• Vanilla to taste
• 3 cups oats
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup apples
• 1 cup raisins

In a large bowl, cream butter until smooth. Beat in brown sugar, egg, milk, and vanilla. Continue to beat until well-combined. With a wooden spoon, stir in flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, and apples. Finally, add raisins and oats. Mix well.

Set on a greased cookie sheet in two-inch-diameter circles. Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 13 – 15 minutes.

Use smaller plates

Small plates mean you will feel like you have eaten more without becoming absolutely full. Also consider downing a glass of water 15 to 30 minutes before eating, to feel fuller on less.

Do Not Stress Eat

By far the most stressful time of year, the winter is the perfect time to begin stress-eating. Avoid eating to make yourself better, instead taking up exercise or a hobby, or perhaps beginning early spring cleaning.

What are your tips for avoiding weight gain during the holidays?

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