FOLLOW THESE TIPS FOR AVOIDING HOLIDAY WEIGHT GAIN AND BE HEALTHIER YEAR-ROUND

Washington, D.C., December 16, 2003 - The American Council for Fitness and Nutrition advises Americans to remember that healthy holiday eating is no different than eating at other times of the year. The key is to maintain a balance between the calories you consume and your level of physical activity.

“The stress of holiday commitments combined with seemingly endless socializing and celebrations ­ all of which seem to revolve around food ­ make it very challenging to prevent weight gain,” said ACFN Chair Susan Finn, Ph.D., R.D..

To help you maintain a healthy balance throughout the holidays and into the New Year, Dr. Finn offers the following holiday tips:

Have a plan. Before you embark on the social circuit, think about the types of foods you’re likely to encounter and what role eating plays in your activities. For example, if you’re headed to an open house with appetizers, keep your consumption in check and save the calories for a sit down dinner when your host or hostess is more apt to notice what you eat.

Size matters. Whether you’re at the buffet table or eyeing finger foods, there’s nothing that says you have to eat everything offered. Sample one ­ not two or three ­ of each appetizer. And while you’re making your choices, look for foods that can help you meet the recommended guideline of five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day. You’re likely to consume fewer calories and you’ll feel better too.

Avoid binging. It’s tempting to not eat regular meals to “save room” for holiday treats. Unfortunately, this could cause you to overeat, especially when it comes to higher fat and higher calorie foods. Instead, avoid going to holiday parties hungry by eating a light snack such as cheese, fruit or yogurt before you leave home.

Resolve to exercise. Even if you watch your portions and your calories, you can gain weight over the holidays if you succumb to the temptation to become a couch potato when you’re not socializing. Make time for exercise in your schedule. Even a walk around the neighborhood after dinner is a good way to burn a few calories.

Despite all the talk about holiday weight gain, studies indicate that most of us only gain about a pound each season. “The problem is that many don’t take steps to lose that pound once the holidays are over,” said Finn. “Just one extra pound a year can become a huge risk factor after 20 or 30 holiday seasons, which is why it’s important to seek balance in your holiday eating and activities.”

CONTACT
Laura Sheehan
202.715.1526
laura@acfn.org

Christine Tucci
202.715.1517
christine@acfn.org

ABOUT THE AMERICAN COUNCIL FOR FITNESS AND NUTRITION: The American Council for Fitness and Nutrition (ACFN) is a non-profit organization that brings together food and beverage companies, associations, and health and nutrition advocates to work toward viable long-term solutions to the nation's obesity epidemic. ACFN represents a diverse group of organizations and is guided by an advisory board of experts in the fields of nutrition, physical activity and behavior change. ACFN works with partners to raise awareness of programs and policies that seek to improve health and wellness in America. For more information, please visit www.acfn.org.