Saturday, November 22, 2008

Eat, Drink & Be Merry....

........without gaining pounds.

It's that time of the year again. So, enjoy your family and friends. Don't lose what you have gained (lost weight). Continue to make healthy choices (Fitts and Kevin) while celebrating this holiday season.

Here are some tips from dietitian Versie Larkin of Monroe, La.
  • Eat smaller portions
  • Avoid second helpings (good luck)
  • Limit alcohol (good luck to me)
  • Eat appetizers made with fresh vegetables
  • Eat something before the party or family gathering
  • Don't fast before the party; it could cause you to overeat
  • Select baked, grilled or broiled foods rather than fried
  • Remove the skin from chicken and all visible fat from meat
  • Take small bites and eat slowly
  • Drink extra water - it's an effective appetite suppressant
  • Be selective. If you don't really want it, don't eat it. Don't waste calories
  • Look at every bite of food before you eat it; that provides a mental connection to how much you are actually eating.

With a little bit of discipline and some planning, you can get through the holidays. Remember, moderation is the key.

HOLIDAY CALORIE COUNTER


Favorite Food Item - Calories

Cranberry Sauce ( 1/2 - inch slice) - 86

Deviled Egg - 141

Greens (with Hamhocks) - 200

Spinach Dip (2 oz.) - 246

Pound Cake (1/16 of cake) - 250

Mashed Potatoes (with gravy) - 254

Eggnog (cup) - 304

Baked Ham (4 0z.) - 307

Roast Turkey (dark and light with skin) - 344

Macoroni and Cheese - 350

Chitterlings (Cup) - 398 - 614 (depending upon preparation)

Buffalo Wings (8 oz.) - 513

Cornbread Dressing - 541

Sweet Potato Pie - 548

I have just added the calories of each item I KNOW will be on the menu that I plan to eat. One plate adds up to... 2,539 calories. Wow! I will have to compromise something.

This is the most dangerous time for gaining more weight. I hate to rain on your parade and time of festivities. As African Americans, being overweight is a major concern because it is a contributor of diabetes, heart disease, stroke and some forms of cancer. So, take some simple steps towards eating right this season. Be careful with that Sweet Potato Pie!! Also those Chitterlings (Doc. Spoon & Me).

Have a Happy, Merry, Safe, and THANKFUL good Time.

Umm, I'm hungry now, think I'll get something to eat.

Enjoy!!

13 comments:

HALLELUJAH said...

Mother Vietta,

Resourceful post.

May you and your Family have a Wonderful Thanksgiving Day.

Brother Wilson


GOD Bless~~~

Fitts said...

Mother,

Thank you for this post which reminds me to be careful during the holidays.

I have been doing very well but this is a dangerous time for me. We will be in Vegas for Thanksgiving... Temptation island :-)

Pray for me...

DeAntwan

Anonymous said...

Oh...the Love of a Mom....
Mom thanks for checking in on your son. I am well, just contemplating some things about my ministry and really haven't felt like blogging. I get very intorspective at times and this just happens to be one of those seasons in my life. I am still here, I just choose to read and observe.

Keep me in your prayers.

Love you and thanks for your concern.

Your Son,
Tony R.

Pastor A. A. McGhee said...

Now you are making me feel guilty going into this holiday season. Oh well, mother knows best!

Unknown said...

Good Morning NaNa,
All I have to say to this post is OMG! I'm in trouble! I had no idea how many calories were in the foods that we eat for the holidays. I was calorie counting from the list as well and I am at about 1900 calories for one plate myself! I am really blown away by these totals especially about the the crannberry sauce which i love 86 calories for a half of slice not even a whole slice!! I have my work cut out for me this holdiday season! Its going to be rough! Thank you for the information. Very helpful. Love you!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the info. I know I don't want to gin anymore weight so I might just eat salad but we all know that won't happen. Well I will try to do my best. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Keith D. Witherspoon said...

What about the calorie intake for chitterlings? LOL

Thank you for this wonderful insight and in true Mother fashion, you continually watch over your sons here in the blogosphere!!

God Bless and I pray that you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!

Vietta P's two cents worth said...

For those of you who are interested in the answer to Doc. Spoon's question about chitterlings; see Doc's comment page of his blog dated 11/25/08.

Be blessed.

Clinton Smith said...

Thank you blog-mom! But I have not had a good meal since my stomach virus. I think I'm going to commit one of the 7 deadly sins, GLUTTONY, tomorrow.

Keith D. Witherspoon said...

For the record, I do love chitterlings! As a matter of fact, they are cooking as we speak! Yum Yum. I'll be in the repentance room with Pastor Clinton Smith!!

Rev.Aaron Holcombe said...

Very informative post. Thank you so much for sharing with all of us. Happy Thanksgiving my Sister in Christ Jesus.

Watch Me Change said...

Thanks for the post. This time of year is hard for me because there are so many things to eat that family only cooks once a year. I have lost 21lbs since August. It' be a shame to reverse that during a holiday season. I still have a long way to go but this is informative and encouraging. Thanks.

Pastor Lance A. Mann said...

Mother, thank you for reaching out to me with both encouragement and with care. You are a great soul that has blessed me from a distance and I am looking forward to the day where our spirits can meet in person. Thank you again for adopting me into your family. Love you much.

Lance