Those cookies look good, don’t you think? I want to eat one while I’m writing this.
Temptation.
It’s really tough. It’s almost impossible to overcome. Some of us have a lot of willpower, and some of us don’t. So what if we fall into the don’t category?
Holiday parties and summer BBQs can be impossible. We feel like we’ve done so well with our nutrition during the week, and the party after party and BBQ after BBQ has us feeling like we’re starting from square one every Monday.
It doesn’t have to feel that way! You can enjoy yourself without constantly overindulging. Here are some tried and true tips to help you survive BBQ season:
Tip #1 – Eat healthy before you go
Have you ever skipped breakfast before a big event thinking to yourself, I’m going to save all my calories for the party. Then you end up going crazy when you’re there and eat way more than you should.
Did you also realize that how you eat earlier in the day can affect what you crave later in the day? If you start off with sugar, you’re more likely to crave sugar later.
Don’t let one party turn into an entire day of unhealthy eating!
Start yourself off with a nutritious breakfast. If you know there won’t be nutritious food at the party, eat a healthy snack before you leave. Then you won’t have as much room for unhealthy options at the party.
We can all stuff ourselves when food looks, smells, and tastes good, but if we fill ourselves with healthy choices beforehand, we’re more likely to be successful.
Tip #2 – Load your plate up with veggies
Fill your plate with as many vegetables as you can. Of course you should take the things you enjoy too, but the more you can fill yourself with healthy foods, the less room you’ll have for higher-calorie choices, just like in Tip #1.
Tip #3 – Offer to bring a healthy side
Take matters into your own hands! Bring something that’s healthy but you know you’ll enjoy. Take a little extra of that item when it’s time to fill your plate.
Tip #4 – Wrap your meat in lettuce
We never suggest a no carb or super low carb diet, especially depending on your goals and exercise level. But a bun can be high in sugar and can be an unnecessary way to add extra calories in.
Skip the bun on your meat and save the carb loading for important stuff…like dessert!
Tip #5 – Avoid standing next to the food table
Standing next to the food table is like asking yourself to eat more. You can smell it. You can see it. Just avoid that area!
Find something to keep yourself busy! Play bags! Talk with friends! Be active!
It’s okay to distract yourself from the food, and it will help you avoid spending the whole party eating.
Tip #6 – Don’t drink your calories
Let’s be honest, alcoholic beverages don’t have a lot of benefits. We aren’t saying to completely deprive yourself of something you enjoy. Everything in moderation.
But you also have to think about what your goals are. What’s more worth it to you? Your goals? Or that one drink you might regret later?
There isn’t a right choice. But if you have big health and fitness goals that are a true priority, just say no to sugary or alcoholic drinks.
Tip #7 – Enjoy!
This is the most important one!
Please enjoy yourself. Shift your focus from food to quality time with friends and family.
Let yourself live a little, as long as you’re not going crazy at every meal the whole weekend.
Are you at a 4th of July party? Have a dessert!
Just don’t have 5…