Instead of getting hooked by holiday foods, focus on the people around you.

Work on connecting by asking questions and listening to their stories. Show caring and love without judgement or criticism.

To add to your ability to connect, pay special attention to eye colors. To do this, you’ll need to make a extra effort to look into people’s eyes.

They will be amazed at how present you are in the conversations.

Once you start eating small foods such as chips, M&M’s® and nuts, it’s so easy to keep reaching for a few more.

To fix this, use a fork or spoon to eat anything that’s a “hand-held food.”

You’ll still get to appreciate the tastes but you’ll eat a lot less than if you keep grabbing a handful of those foods.

If you don’t drink alcohol, you can skip this tip.

But remember, alcohol adds calories as well as making you not care about how much you eat.

To manage parties or family gatherings, drink a large glass of water before you start sipping on a glass of wine, beer or other alcoholic beverage.

Sometimes, you’re actually thirsty and the water helps you slow down and make your drink last a lot longer.

You might also plan to drink a glass of water before reaching for a second drink or a refill on your wine.

You don’t have to do it all.

Look for ways to cut out some of the usual rituals or activities that wear you out.

Make two types of cookies instead of ten.

Buy fewer gifts, and explain that you are working on having a simpler, more meaningful holiday season.

Evaluate every invitation to see if it’s important or not. Sometimes, you can skip a lunch or other gathering and not really miss much.

Be selective about which concerts or programs to attend. At our home, we try to never do two big evening events in a row. It really helps us not get so exhausted and we appreciate the ones we go to a lot more.

A few weeks ago, I made brownies for a women’s meeting. I carefully cut off the edges along the side of the pan, then cut the brownies into small squares.

But while I was doing this, I ate one of the edge pieces, then another, and a few more. [Read more…]

When you eat fast, you are more likely to overeat.

Here are two great ways to slow down your pace of eating.

1. At holiday gatherings, set a goal of finishing your meal at the same time as the slowest person at the table.

This is especially challenging when there’s a two-year old at your meal.

2. At the start of your meal, set a timer or the alarm on your watch for 20 minutes.

Pace yourself (even if you’re only eating a sandwich) so you will be finishing the last bite of your food when the time is up.