Maintain, Don't Gain... Ten Tips Not to Blow Your Diet During the Holidays

GAITHERSBURG, MD, December 5, 2005-It's that time of year when sensational sweets and tempting treats surround you. How do you enjoy all that the season has to offer while not doubling your size? Sodexho's ten tips to stay trim may help you avoid the all too familiar weight gain over the holidays.

1. Eat breakfast. It jump starts your metabolism and provides you with fuel so you won't be tempted to graze through the morning on goodies.
2. Don't skip meals to save calories. You'll only be tempted to rebound later at the holiday buffet.
3. Take control of portion sizes and increase the number of smaller portions per day. You can also build up a bank of extra calories for a special event by reducing your daily intake by about 100 calories (approximately one slice of bread) for a week.
4. Add ten minutes to your normal exercise routine every day to burn off extra calories.
5. Drink plenty of water, especially before a big meal. It will fill you up and prevent overindulgence.
6. Keep a diary of what you eat and drink, even if it's just through the holiday season. The act of recording your intake will raise awareness and help identify any triggers for over consumption.
7. Liquid calories count, so enjoy them in moderation. One five ounce glass of wine has about 100 calories, a 12 ounce regular beer contains 150 calories and 1.5 ounces of 80 proof distilled spirits has 100 calories.
8. Keep problem foods out of your house. Replace them with low calorie alternatives such as angel food cake with berries rather than berry cheesecake.
9. Seek lower calorie options at the holiday appetizer buffet. Crudités of vegetables and fruit, or shrimp and scallops with cocktail sauce are wise choices.
10. Step away from the table. Listen to your body, and when it tells you it's full, believe it.

“As the nation's leading private employer of registered dietitians, Sodexho is aware of the need to stay in tune with your body's wellness needs,” said Deborah Hecker, chair of Sodexho's Wellness Council. “We are constantly creating new ways to enjoy eating while maintaining good health, especially during the holidays when food becomes such a focal point of the celebration.”

As the nation's leading foodservice contractor, Sodexho is committed to ensuring the health and well-being of the 6.5 million customers served each day.

Sodexho USA (www.sodexhoUSA.com) is the leading provider of food and facilities management in the United States, with $6 billion in annual revenue and 110,000+ employees. Sodexho USA offers innovative outsourcing solutions in food service, housekeeping, grounds keeping, plant operations and maintenance, asset management, and laundry services to more than 6,000 corporations, health care, long term care and retirement centers, schools, college campuses, military and remote sites in North America. Headquartered in Gaithersburg, MD, Sodexho USA proudly serves as the official food service provider for the US Marine Corps.