3 ways to ring in the New Year guilt-free 

Another New Year’s Eve is almost here and whether you live it up at a raucous party or prefer a more subdued event, ringing in 2018 as guiltless as possible can be done when sticking to your healthy intentions.  You want to celebrate in style but without overdoing it by eating or drinking an exorbitant amount.

Celebrating the beginning of a New Year can be done while still having a good time reveling with others and here’s 3 ways how:

1.  Tip a toast to the New Year but in moderation

Yes, it is the New Year but start it off right remembering to drink responsibly by following guidelines of moderation for alcohol – no more than one drink a day for a woman and no more than two drinks a day for a man.  Besides, you won’t have to deal with a hangover the next day.

Alcohol has 7 calories per gram just a little bit less than what fat provides at 9 calories per gram.  Depending on your beverage of choice, you can be consuming a lot more calories than you realize.  Some of the worst offenders where calories add up quickly include Pina Coladas, hot buttered rum, Irish crème liqueur, alcoholic eggnog, martinis, and margaritas. 

Choose instead lower calorie alcoholic beverages allowing you to still celebrate yet without a calorie surplus.  Consider champagne or having a fruit based sangria using club soda or seltzer water to cut back on calories. 

2.   Have a small snack before going to the party

One of the best ways of ringing in the New Year is to try out the food served.  But to control portions and to make good food choices, avoid arriving at the party starving.  Being overly hungry will make it very difficult to practice healthy eating without overindulging in calories.  The solution is to eat a snack about an hour before leaving for the party – choose foods that contain both protein and fiber such as a tablespoon of peanut butter on whole-wheat toast or a half cup of Greek yogurt topped with berries. 

Once at the event, it’s okay to try out what is being served but be mindful of the amount you put on your plate.  A small sampling of what you really want to eat is best.  Eat slowly while enjoying every bite will help you feel satisfied and less likely to go back for seconds.

3.  Sneak in a workout earlier in the day

Wake up on New Year’s Day with no health regrets by getting in some physical activity during the hours before the start of the previous night’s revelry. Find an activity that gets your heart and blood pumping, steadily burning calories while enhancing your physical fitness.  It could be a brisk morning walk on the last day of the year, heading to the gym to lift weights, donning your swimsuit to get in a few laps at a pool or putting on music and dancing to your heart’s delight.  Whatever you choose, make it fun, make it worthwhile, and make it a regular routine you’ll keep doing throughout the New Year.