• What Is OWN?
    What the preview!
    GO
  • Health News
    Get information you can use in your inbox!
    GO
  • Dr. Oz's New Show
    Where and when to watch Dr. Oz weekdays
    GO

Naughty and Nice Holiday Foods

By Elizabeth M. Ward, MS, RD

Don't Let Holiday Foods Get the Best of You

Curb calories from so-called naughty foods by taking tiny portions. The first few bites of any food provide the most pleasure. Once you've finished your treat, fight the urge for more.

  • Sit far from buffet tables, candy dishes and cookie-laden platters.
  • Excuse yourself from the dinner table when done eating.
  • Keep your mouth busy by talking with friends and family.
  • Chew gum or suck on a sugarless breath mint to prevent picking.
  • If you're able, brush your teeth; the taste of toothpaste dulls taste buds.



As a reminder, always consult your doctor for medical advice and treatment before starting any program.

Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD, on September 25, 2008.
SOURCES: Patricia Vasconcellos, RD, spokeswoman, American Dietetic Association. Janice Bissex, MS, RD, nutrition consultant; co-author, The Moms' Guide to Meal Makeover. Yanovski, J. New England Journal of Medicine, March 23, 2000; vol 342: pp 861-867. National Institute of Medicine. United States Department of Agriculture, on-line nutrient data base, Agricultural Research Service. © 2007 WebMD, Inc. All rights reserved.