12 Ways to Avoid Weight Regain During the Holidays Post Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery

Tis the season to be jolly, spend time with family and friends, celebrate life's little blessings and that, of course, includes eating. The holiday season and food go hand in hand. Whether sweet potato pie, honey-glazed ham, buttery Christmas cookies or turkey and stuffing, holiday eating takes its toll on our health and our waistline. In fact, people tend to gain an average of five to 10 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year's. Preventing holiday weight gain is a challenge for everyone, including people who have had Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery. This may not be such a big issue in the first year after weight loss surgery, as this is when a person can't consume as much food as they used to without feeling sick. The challenge arrives a year or so later because that is when people can tolerate eating more food and sugar. So, regardless of your weight situation, don’t sing the blues or the “Twelve Days of Christmas.” You can avoid packing on those unsightly pounds by following these 12 simple tips:

1. Never arrive hungry. Eat every three or four hours, and always take a protein bar, protein shake, or healthy snack with you, so you don't arrive at the fete famished.

2. Eat the turkey or ham first. People who have had bariatric surgery to battle obesity are told to eat protein first, and the holidays are no exception. Protein is essential for wound healing, preserving lean body mass, enhancing fat-burning metabolism, and minimizing hair loss after weight loss surgery. Since individuals who have had bariatric surgery can only tolerate small amounts of food, it is essential to eat protein first. After you have eaten your protein, take a few small bites of your favorite dishes.

3. Drink water or other non-caloric beverages. Coffee and tea, which are very low in calories, are staples at many holiday parties, and often come in festive flavors.

4. Chew gum. Chewing sugar-free gum can satisfy your oral fixation and curb your appetite at a party.

5. Chew slowly. A new study slated for publication in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism shows that eating a meal quickly inhibits the release of hormones in the gut that induce feelings of being full, resulting in overeating.

6. Tweak your favorite holiday recipes. You can enjoy some of your yuletide favorites without sacrificing your waistline. Let's say you grew up eating the classic green bean casserole. Choose fat-free mushroom soup instead of the heavy cream version, and sprinkle just a handful of fried onions atop the casserole as opposed to the whole can. Many people who have had weight loss surgery are sensitive to sugar. Try making your favorite dessert — such as pumpkin pie — with Splenda instead. You can find low fat, low sugar recipes online for all your favorite dishes. 

7. Bring a vegetable or fruit tray. Bring something that you can eat that fits into your eating program, so you won't go hungry or risk binging on fattening fare. Be careful; other guests may want your healthy offerings for the same reason as you and clean the plate! 

8. Avoid the Eggnog. High-calorie beverages like eggnog won't fill you up, so they are not a good choice. Alcohol can also lower your inhibitions, making the buffet table hard to resist. Socialize. Make your holiday about reconnecting instead of chowing down. The holidays are for family and friends, not food.

9. Start new traditions. Plan to take a walk or play touch football with relatives instead of having an extended happy hour. Play with the children that are attending. You might find it rewarding and enjoyable and keeps you away from the booze and high-calorie snacks. Regular exercise can help maintain weight loss.

10. Sit far away from the buffet or kitchen. Sure, front-row or courtside seats may be ideal for sporting events, but if you are trying to keep your weight down, sitting far away from the buffet or kitchen during the holidays is a good call.

11. Give it away. Don't keep leftovers lying around. Donate the excess to a local homeless shelter or pack up doggie bags for family members and friends.

12. Remember, the holidays are also about forgiveness. If you do end up overindulging, give yourself a break. Get right back on track the following day by recommitting to healthy eating and regular exercise. "Don't beat yourself up and throw in the towel," says Jacqueline Stark Odom, Ph.D., the director of psychology at the Beaumont Weight Control Center in Royal Oak, Michigan. Instead, "redirect your thinking into letting the episodes go and moving forward or by calling your surgeon for a referral to a Registered Dietitian who can help get you back on track," she says. "Make that your new year's resolution."

Enjoy the Holidays and relish in having a “Delicious Life” because you are healthier without the excess weight, rendering food not so important.

Best….Susan Peacock MSRDN