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Americans
Gain an Average of 7 Pounds From Thanksgiving Through New Year's
Day
Auburn, Nov. 13---Many
weight- and health-conscious people dread the holidays for an
obvious reason: too much food in too little time. Studies show
Americans gain an average of 7 pounds from Thanksgiving through New
Year's Day.
"It is amazing how
many calories a person can eat at one holiday feast," says Dr.
Barbara Struempler, a nutritionist with the Alabama Cooperative
Extension System. "And that's not counting eating seconds or
counting snitches in the kitchen during cooking."
Those who select and
prepare holiday meals can help in the "battle of the
binge" by selecting low-fat foods for cooking and trimming
excess fat from meats before cooking.
Ingredient substitutes
can greatly reduce the calories and fat in holiday meals too, says
Struempler. One common substitute is using low-fat, evaporated or
skim milk instead of cream in recipes. Today, grocery stores are
full of low-fat, non-fat and low-sugar and sugarless ingredients
that can be substituted in recipes without a major change in the
taste.
Serving sizes are
another reason people gain weight. Most Americans' helping of food
equals two or three servings. An average serving is 3 ounces or 1/2
cup or less. It depends on the food.
The holidays are a
joyful time for family reunions, get-togethers, good times and fine
food. Using a little moderation and common sense can do wonders for
holiday dining. Reducing the amount eaten will give holiday diners
one less thing to worry about during and after the holidays.
SOURCE: Dr. Barbara
Struempler, Nutritionist, Alabama Cooperative Extension System,
(334) 844-2217
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