9 Holy Day Hacks; How to Enjoy Eating without Gaining Weight!
Okay so don’t go on a crazy eight-day Hanukkah eating binge, but if You are planning on enjoying the Holy Days by going to your aunt’s house for Christmas and maybe a couple of Ugly Sweater Parties, chances are you need to get your body ready too alongside your glitter outfits! Hear are some easy hacks that will help you speed up your metabolism, decrease your appetite, and get you a step ahead into the New Year!
#1 Fasting
This is probably the most important one. Before and after the Holy Days, give your body a break! We all need one! Even if that is skipping 1 meal out of the week, that will help! If you skipped 1 meal every week for a month, you could save to 2,000 calories! Fasting is not starving, it’s about giving your body time-off from digestive work, so it has time to make other repairs in your body. That way, when it is time to eating time again, your digestive system will be even more effective. (Click HERE to read more about FASTING).
#2 Beans
Ah the magical fruit! Beans are made up of fiber and protein. This is one food that takes a tremendous number of calories to burn. To burn off 400 calories; It takes about 12 fat calories, or 40 calories from carbs, or a whopping 80 calories from protein! So, beans are one power food that help you burn more calories while you eat them!
#3 Water
Make sure you drink plenty of water not only for detoxifying the body, but keep in mind that your digestive system needs water too! Drink water about 60-30 mins before meal time.
#4 Berries & Cranberries
Berries are packed with antioxidants, fiber, and vitamin C. When you go for the dessert, opt for berries! Fiber is great for boosting the metabolism. Plus, the antioxidants and vitamin C are great for helping the body repair such as preventing wrinkles and destroys free radicals in the body.
#5 Eating a snack; Chia & Flax Seeds before you go
These seeds are nearly pure fiber, protein, and omega 3’s. So not only are they nutritious for you, but they help fill you up! One trick is if you know your going somewhere where maybe the food isn’t going to be that great, eat a little before your leave the door! That way you won’t overeat! One easy tummy filler for on-the-go is putting some chia seeds in your favorite sports drink, lemonade, kombucha, etc. Of course, if you don’t mind the fuzzy texture!
#6 Workout…a little harder
Easier said than done, but getting in few extra sessions or a few longer sessions at the gym can help offset those extra calories. Make sure you sweat, breath hard, and have fun! If we are going to eat well, we might as well earn it! Hear are some ideas; add 10 extra minutes to your cardio, pick up an extra weekly class, or offer to snow-shovel your neighbor’s house!
#7 Chocolate
Opt for the dark chocolate! Studies show that cacao up to 70% or darker can help boost metabolism! It is rich in magnesium which stimulates the fat-burning hormone adiponectin.
#8 Apple Cider Vinegar…or PINEAPPLE
Apple Cider Vinegar helps to boost your stomach’s ability to produce hydrochloric acid (HCA). This acid helps your stomach break down foods and absorb nutrients better. If you don’t have Apply Cider Vinegar, eating some pineapple with your meal will do the trick too!
#9 Cinnamon
A little bit a cinnamon a day can help your body burn fat all day! Cinnamon has thermogenic properties which help the metabolism manage the control of sugar and cinnamon also has an appetite curbing effect. So put some cinnamon in your coffee or sprinkle it some apple or maybe a banana!
Hope these hacks help! Raijon.com wishes you Happy Holy Days! May you live, love, and laugh, and enjoy the festive bounties!