Holiday season diet tips for weight loss for eating foods for potluck feasts. Reveals appetite control ideas at potluck dinners.

History of Potluck

Potluck began in 16th century England. It was food provided for an unexpected or uninvited guest. Families only had a single pot for cooking meals. The food provided to the unexpected or uninvited guest would be the luck of the pot, or potluck. Today a meal provided to a large group provided by each member of the group bringing a pot of food or a covered dish it is referred to as a potluck.

Holiday Season Potlucks

Organizations have holiday feasts for their members. Some are provided by potluck foods. These are tough situations for people on diets. During the holiday season you are open to an assortment of food and beverages. Many traditional holiday foods and drinks are unhealthy.

Eat Slowly

Eat slowly. This gives you the chance to chew your food thoroughly.. It will be easier to digest your food causing less stomach aches. Your digestive system will operate more efficiently storing less of the food as fat. The extra time will give the stomach the chance to communicate to the brain it is full. Plus you have less time at the table to eat more food.

Half Plate Rule

The half plate rule is to fill half of your plate with vegetables and fruit. This leaves less room for pastas, potatoes and high calorie holiday dishes, and meats. Look for lean meats such as turkey instead of salty hams, chicken soaked in gravy and sausages smothered in BBQ sauce.

Move Away From the Buffet Table

Do not sit near the buffet table. The tendency to graze is reduced when you are away from the food dishes. Wait 10 minutes or more before getting seconds.

Don’t Lead the Line at the Buffet Table

Drink a glass of water instead of getting near the front of the line at the buffet table. This leaves you with less time to overeat and less of an appetite from drinking water.

Don’t Drink Too Many Calories

Don’t drink the egg nog. One cup contains 343 calories and 20 grams of fat. Also pass on the hot chocolate with whipped cream which contains 222 calories and 12 grams of fat per cup. A 12 ounce can of coke has 140 calories, same size beer 146 calories. Go for an unsweetened tea.

If you think about it, there are many diet tips for weight loss you can do during the holiday season to prevent weight gain when eating potluck foods.