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LMQC Nutritionist blogger, Jeni Tackett, explains how balancing your calories in and calories out can help keep the pounds off and make the holidays more enjoyable.

by Nutritionist Blogger, Jeni Tackett, RD, LD

Holiday season is upon us, and you may be worried about how your jeans are going to fit come January 1st. Weight gain is due to calorie surplus.

Balancing your calories in and calories out during the holiday season means you can enjoy the season without the weight gain.

5 tips to balance your calories this holiday season

LMQC dietitian blogger, Jeni Tackett, Davenport, make post-Thanksgiving hikes a tradition with her son, Noah, daughter, Lily, and fur baby, Lola (not pictured).

Move! Talking a walk after a holiday meal, going to the gym on black Friday, and increasing daily movement can help burn the extra calories you consume this time of year.

Make a tradition of hiking at one of the beautiful trails in the Quad Cities over the holidays. Hit up the YMCA and take advantage of the stress relief you will feel from moving your body.

Drink water: Drink calories on top of holiday foods can tip the scale. Make a pact to drink water with your meals. Avoid expensive and sugary coffee drinks. Instead, drink water, unsweetened iced tea, black coffee, or seltzer water.

Half plate rule: At lunch and dinner, make a pact that you will fill half of your plate with a fruit or vegetable or both. Increasing fruits and vegetables results in more water in the diet and less calories. Fruits and vegetables are nutrient rich and calorie light.

Plate it up: Make the rule that you will only eat off of a plate or bowl. Do not stand and eat chips and dip, cheese and crackers, or any other temptation this time of year. Sit down to a properly portioned plate of food, eat slowly, and enjoy your meal.

Be choosey: Do not eat every dessert or candy that comes your way. Pick your favorite holiday treats, and enjoy small portions of them. I like my Mom’s sugar cookie recipe, and I make sugar cookies every year for my family. I make one batch and enjoy this tradition with my family. I resist the urge to purchase and eat desserts and candy from the store.

You can reduce the damage done to your waistline with some simple techniques to balance your calories this holiday season.

by Nutritionist Blogger, Jeni Tackett, RD, LD

Holiday season is upon us, and you may be worried about how your jeans are going to fit come January 1st. Weight gain is due to calorie surplus.

Balancing your calories in and calories out during the holiday season means you can enjoy the season without the weight gain.

5 tips to balance your calories this holiday season

LMQC dietitian blogger, Jeni Tackett, Davenport, make post-Thanksgiving hikes a tradition with her son, Noah, daughter, Lily, and fur baby, Lola (not pictured).

Move! Talking a walk after a holiday meal, going to the gym on black Friday, and increasing daily movement can help burn the extra calories you consume this time of year.

Make a tradition of hiking at one of the beautiful trails in the Quad Cities over the holidays. Hit up the YMCA and take advantage of the stress relief you will feel from moving your body.

Drink water: Drink calories on top of holiday foods can tip the scale. Make a pact to drink water with your meals. Avoid expensive and sugary coffee drinks. Instead, drink water, unsweetened iced tea, black coffee, or seltzer water.

Half plate rule: At lunch and dinner, make a pact that you will fill half of your plate with a fruit or vegetable or both. Increasing fruits and vegetables results in more water in the diet and less calories. Fruits and vegetables are nutrient rich and calorie light.

Plate it up: Make the rule that you will only eat off of a plate or bowl. Do not stand and eat chips and dip, cheese and crackers, or any other temptation this time of year. Sit down to a properly portioned plate of food, eat slowly, and enjoy your meal.

Be choosey: Do not eat every dessert or candy that comes your way. Pick your favorite holiday treats, and enjoy small portions of them. I like my Mom’s sugar cookie recipe, and I make sugar cookies every year for my family. I make one batch and enjoy this tradition with my family. I resist the urge to purchase and eat desserts and candy from the store.

You can reduce the damage done to your waistline with some simple techniques to balance your calories this holiday season.

Jeni Tackett

Jeni Tackett

Nutritionist Blogger

Jeni is a registered and licensed dietitian for Rock Valley Health. Jeni counsels her clients on weight loss and nutrition.