Tis the season...to dance the holiday weight gain tango.
Though people who gained holiday weight (the period spanning November through January) gained only about one pound, most people do not lose that weight over the course of the year, according to a 2000 New England Journal of Medicine study.
Over time, a pound a year or more can lead to significant weight gain.
It's normal to crave warm, hearty foods during cold weather, says nutritionist Aysnley Kirshenbaum, but there's no reason to jump to mac 'n' cheese over a hearty vegetable soup — every time.
However, she doesn't recommend restricting yourself to celery and water the entire holiday season. "The holidays are about celebrating. But be smart about it: Thanksgiving is one day, not a week. Choose to indulge in the things you really love and leave the rest."
Her top three tips for indulging in a responsible way:
Scan the buffet before you choose, so you see all your options.
Fill up first with healthy choices: veggies and hummus, cheese and nuts, fruit salad, etc. Then take the decadent stuff you planned during your scan and enjoy it. If you're still hungry, go back to the healthy stuff.
Drink a glass of water between every alcoholic beverage, and never drive after drinking.
If you're going to indulge in a responsible way, here are the most delicious ways to start — just not all at once and not in huge portions.
Thanksgiving
1. The leftovers sandwich
The reason for the season. Though the ingredients may differ slightly, the sandwich should include at least: turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy and cranberry sauce. Extra points for fitting in sweet potatoes, green bean casserole and/or creamed onions.
2. Turducken ramen
A photo posted by Patrick Fleming (@bokepatrick) on Nov 29, 2013 at 11:22am PST
If you're living in 2010 or have a fresh turducken lying around, you're in luck. This turkey stuffed with a duck stuffed with a chicken stuffed with a duck was popular before Paula Deen was a buzzword, but it is reinvented this year. Use the bones to create a rich ramen broth, season with traditional ingredients, then garnish with rich slices of turducken.
3. Cherpumple cake
A photo posted by Kimberly Comstock (@kacomstock) on Jun 2, 2015 at 5:16pm PDT
Why choose just one dessert when you can really have three and just say you're eating one? This turducken of desserts is the brainchild of humorist Charles Phoenix, who created this dish as an ode to all of his family's favorite holiday desserts. It consists of apple pie baked in a spice cake, pumpkin pie baked in a yellow cake and cherry pie baked in a white cake. The cakes are then stacked one on top of another and frosted before being served.
Hanukkah
4. Latkes fried in duck fat
Though vegetable oil is undeniably lower in saturated fat, and olive oil is traditional for Sephardic Jews, the combination of duck fat and potatoes is too delicious to resist. Latkes cooked in duck fat are crunchy, golden and have an irresistibly savory taste.
5. Jelly donuts
Sufganiyot are traditional Hanukkah treats. When they are warm out of the fryer and dusted with powdered sugar, it's easy to eat three of them in one go. If you don't like jelly, try these chocolate hazelnut versions on for size.
6. Chinese dumplings
It's not a joke; it really is traditional for many Jewish families to indulge in Chinese food on Christmas. Many Chinese restaurants are open on Christmas day, and there's little chance of mixing milk and meat if you're kosher. Soup dumplings, which contain a tender meatball and fragrant broth inside their translucent skins, are especially tasty.
Christmas
7. The feast of seven fishes
A photo posted by @thelastjewaiian on Dec 26, 2014 at 6:16pm PST
This traditional Southern Italian feast celebrates everything seafood in such opulence that the Christmas dinner the next day may seem spartan by comparison. There are at least seven fish dishes featuring mussels, clams, sea urchin, squid, fish and anything else that swims, in a variety of preparations. Try this mackerel and white bean bruschetta as a precursor to a meal that can only be described as colossal.
8. Beef Wellington
This classic dish takes a long time to make but it's elegant, festive and most importantly delicious. Use a classic recipe and feel free to substitute chicken liver pate for the foie gras if that's what your budget affords.
9. Twelve layer cake
A photo posted by Aubrey (@breelands) on Jul 19, 2013 at 5:40pm PDT
Pumpkin pie is all well and good, but a sky high cake is the only thing that soothes your soul after 72 solid hours with your family. This recipe takes ages to make, but the result is both beautiful and mouthwatering. Use any light cake recipe (like angel food) you prefer and reduce the number of layers if you must.
New Year's Eve
10. The golden cadillac
Martinis are good for Jan. 2, when you are disillusioned with your New Year's resolutions. This creamy drink made with Galliano, white creme de cacao and cream, is what you want when the year is still paved with promise and hope.
11. Eggnog pound cake
The perfect way to use up leftover Christmas eggnog. Serve it in small slices at your cocktail party or in thick wedges a la mode for dessert. This recipe is a good starting point, but feel free to add mixins like nuts or candied fruit.
12. The morning-after breakfast plate
A photo posted by Real Food Cafe (@realfoodcafegr) on Oct 4, 2015 at 5:31am PDT
Sausage, bacon, eggs, pancakes, potatoes, the works. Ron Swanson would buckle from the size of this breakfast platter.
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