Since it is Good Friday, I thought I might address the topic of celebrating the holidays while on the Zone diet. Although my family is not traveling anywhere nor hosting any gathering larger than just the four of us, I am guessing that some of you are probably having a slightly more stressful Passover or Easter holiday. But it doesn't really matter whether you are driving for hours to show up at someone else's home for a ritual meal or struggling to pull off the perfect seder in your own home, either way you can end up feeling stressed out. Trying to stick to your healthy eating plan under these conditions is an additional challenge, to say the least!
The way I see it, you have two basic choices: 1) toss the diet for the day (or the meal, if possible) and count this as a planned cheat day, OR 2) plan ahead as well as possible so that you can stick to the Zone proportions throughout your day. If you are traveling to someone else's home for a meal, you will obviously have less control. But it is still possible to bring a healthy dish, like a salad, so you know ahead of time that there will be at least one excellent option for your carbs.
Whether you are staying home or traveling, make sure to eat a healthy, balanced breakfast to start your day off right. If you have time, get some exercise in early as well. The endorphins released during a workout will do wonders to help your mood and your attitude toward the holiday. If you will be driving a long distance, I recommend packing your snacks for the trip. Everyone in my family groans loudly when I suggest this (including my husband) as they all love to stop at McDonald's for sweet tea, chicken nuggets, fries, milkshakes, you name it. If you have to cave to your family, McDonald's does have excellent salads you can top with grilled chicken. But snacks from home will save you both time and money, as well as giving you control over your portions and choices.
Keep in mind that the holidays are all about being with your loved ones, sharing stories and laughs, and not so much about the sugary treats you can consume. This might sound obvious, but the television commercials and the magazine ads all steer us toward thinking that Easter = pastel-colored candies and bunny-shaped chocolates overflowing from a gigantic basket. In fact, every holiday has become an excuse to purchase specific candies only sold for a limited time, so hurry and get yours now! (Just kidding, don't go anywhere!)
Is it possible to avoid this consumer trap completely? Can you have a happy holiday without eating any junk? I would honestly like to know the answer!
The way I see it, you have two basic choices: 1) toss the diet for the day (or the meal, if possible) and count this as a planned cheat day, OR 2) plan ahead as well as possible so that you can stick to the Zone proportions throughout your day. If you are traveling to someone else's home for a meal, you will obviously have less control. But it is still possible to bring a healthy dish, like a salad, so you know ahead of time that there will be at least one excellent option for your carbs.
Whether you are staying home or traveling, make sure to eat a healthy, balanced breakfast to start your day off right. If you have time, get some exercise in early as well. The endorphins released during a workout will do wonders to help your mood and your attitude toward the holiday. If you will be driving a long distance, I recommend packing your snacks for the trip. Everyone in my family groans loudly when I suggest this (including my husband) as they all love to stop at McDonald's for sweet tea, chicken nuggets, fries, milkshakes, you name it. If you have to cave to your family, McDonald's does have excellent salads you can top with grilled chicken. But snacks from home will save you both time and money, as well as giving you control over your portions and choices.
Keep in mind that the holidays are all about being with your loved ones, sharing stories and laughs, and not so much about the sugary treats you can consume. This might sound obvious, but the television commercials and the magazine ads all steer us toward thinking that Easter = pastel-colored candies and bunny-shaped chocolates overflowing from a gigantic basket. In fact, every holiday has become an excuse to purchase specific candies only sold for a limited time, so hurry and get yours now! (Just kidding, don't go anywhere!)
Is it possible to avoid this consumer trap completely? Can you have a happy holiday without eating any junk? I would honestly like to know the answer!
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