Article: Healthy And Enjoyable Holiday Eating--It's Possible!


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	Article: Healthy And Enjoyable Holiday Eating--It's Possible! - by Melanie Jordan

	Whether we're 8 or 88 we love the holiday season. We look forward to, as I overheard my kick boxing teacher say today, "porking out". But can you have a great time during the holidays without gaining the inevitable 12-15 pounds that signs in my gym tell me the average American gains between Thanksgiving and New Year's? And to take the challenge up a notch, can you stay what I call "NMP" (a healthy eating style without meat or poultry that does include fish, eggs and light dairy products) on a full or part-time basis without appearing to be a total freak? Yes, you can! First, if you're following "NMP" eating the right way, you really shouldn't be feeling that you have been depriving yourself from any of your favorite foods. So when it comes time for the holiday meals, you shouldn't have the urge to go off the deep end. Second, you shouldn't feel what I call "meat and poultry eaters' peer pressure" when you choose to stay true to your eating style. I'll be honest, social situations are one of the biggest challenges to any healthy lifestyle--"NMP" or not. But you should not feel awkward or apologetic--you should be proud to be "NMP". Here are some tips to help you enjoy the holidays "NMP" style: 1. Bring along a healthy non-meat/poultry offering if you are a guest--one of the easiest items accepted by both "NMPers" and "non-NMPers" is a pasta salad. If you're cooking, you're in control, but don't try to force your beliefs on others. Make your favorite foods "NMP" style, and have dishes for the non-NMPers too (who knows, maybe they'll try something they like). 2. At a function where you can't offer or control the food provided, create a "smorgasbord of sides". Look for, and fill your plate with cooked vegetables, salad, whole grain rolls, pastas, potato and rice dishes (without fattening creamy sauces). If there's a fish entrée choice, you can go for that as well. There have been many such occasions where I stuck with "NMP" eating and no one was the wiser because I had a nice full plate just like everyone else. 3. If there is something you truly crave, have a taste, but go right back to your chosen "NMP" eating style (full-time or part-time) the very next meal. For example, have a slice or two of ham or turkey (yes, real ham or turkey), but not a giant portion, at your Christmas Dinner (or other holiday meal) as a treat, even if you are a full-time "NMPer". And think about that for a second. Now a slice or two of ham or turkey is a treat for you. Look how far you've come! This is actually part of my Permanent Fallback Method discussed in my book "Have Your Cheeseburger And Keep Your Health Too! We tend to equate food, and large quantities of it, with having a "happy holiday". There is plenty of great food to have that will allow you to have a happy holiday without expanding your waistline or clogging your arteries. Go ahead and indulge, but do so without your stomach being in charge. Besides, the real joy of the holiday season is to be with your friends and family--if you make that your focus, and food secondary, you'll have a great time and keep your health too! © Copyright 2001 By Melanie R. Jordan E-Publishing Author’s By-line: “Have Your Cheeseburger And Keep Your Health Too!” by Melanie Jordan can be downloaded at the following URL: http://www.infopost.com/ItemDescription.asp?navtyp=SRH&ItemI=80058

	About Melanie Jordan Melanie has followed what she calls the "NMP" lifestyle (no meat or poultry) on a full-time basis for nearly three years. She is a personal coach and author of “Have Your Cheeseburger And Keep Your Health Too!” and “Healthy Recipes For Comfort Foods You Love!” Melanie also publishes a free monthly e-zine for those who are interested in reducing or eliminating their dependency on meat and poultry called "Have Your Cheeseburger And Keep Your Health Too! Update" (subscribe by e-mail to healthyeatncoach@aol.com). More healthy living resources and book purchase information is available at Melanie's web site at http://www.healthyeatingcoach.com.