Book a chef near you

Choose your preference:

4 Persons

Want to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain? Here’s What a Personal Chef Recommends

Personal Chef's Advice to Beat Holiday Buldge

If you’re like most people, the holiday season is a time when unhealthy eating habits can easily creep in. Whether it’s Christmas cookies or New Year’s Eve champagne, it’s easy to let your guard down and indulge in things you wouldn’t normally eat. With some planning and some self-control, you can enjoy the holiday season without packing on the pounds. 

1- Be mindful of what you eat

The holidays are a time for family, friends, and, all too often, weight gain. If you’re determined to avoid adding extra pounds this holiday season, there are a few things you can do to stay on track.  

First, make sure to pre-plan:  

If you know, you’ll be attending a party where you may fall for unhealthy foods, eat a light meal beforehand so you don’t feel tempted to overindulge.  

When it comes time to fill your plate, be mindful of what you eat. Balance the Christmas cookies with some fruits and vegetables and limit yourself to one or two servings of each dish.  

It’s also important to stay active during the holidays. Take a brisk walk after dinner, go for hikes, or play tag with the kids.  

By following these simple tips, you can enjoy the holidays without adding extra weight.  

2- Choose healthy options at gatherings

If you’re like most people, gatherings tend to revolve around food. And while it’s OK to indulge in your favorite comfort foods occasionally, it’s essential to ensure that you’re also making healthy choices. After all, the last thing you want is to undo all of your hard work simply because a plate of cookies tempted you. By making sure to go for healthy options, you can help yourself stay on track without feeling deprived. There are plenty of delicious and nutritious foods to choose from, so there’s no need to fill up empty calories. Remember to make wise choices the next time you’re at a gathering; it will be easy to keep track of your weight.    

3- Portion Control: Don’t go overboard

Most of us have been there before: we start with the best intentions, vowing to eat healthily and watch our portion sizes. But then we get busy or stressed, or we lose motivation. Before we know it, we’re eating half a dozen cookies instead of the one or two we originally planned. But here’s the thing: it doesn’t have to be that way. By being mindful of our portion sizes and making thoughtful choices about the foods we eat, we can enjoy and indulge in the occasional treat without throwing our healthy eating habits out the window. So next time you feel tempted to go overboard, remember that moderation is key. A few extra cookies never hurt anyone, but a whole box might leave you feeling (and looking) a little bit worse for wear.  

4- Get moving! Incorporate physical activity into your holiday plans to help offset any extra calories you may be consuming.

The holidays are a time for family, friends, and extra servings of grandma’s famous pumpkin pie. While you may indulge once in a while, there are easy ways to offset any extra calories you consume. An easy solution is to get moving! Incorporate physical activity into your holiday plans. A simple exercise like walking or swimming each day can help offset any extra calories you consume. Such moderate-intensity activities can help burn those extra holiday calories. And who knows, you might even have some fun in the process!  

So this holiday season, don’t let your fitness goals fall by the wayside. Get up and get moving – your body will thank you for it. 

5- If you do gain some fat, follow a meal plan to lose it.

Like most people, you probably indulge in one too many holiday treats. As a result, you may gain a few extra pounds. But don’t despair! There are plenty of ways to get rid of that holiday weight.  

First of all, cut back on your calorie intake. Instead of three large meals a day, try eating five or six smaller meals. Such a meal plan will help to boost your metabolism and help your body burn those extra calories.  

Secondly, make sure to exercise regularly. A combination of cardio and strength training is the best way to shed those unwanted pounds.  

Finally, follow a healthy meal plan. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains. And drink plenty of water!  

By following these simple tips, you’ll be back to your pre-holiday weight in no time.  

Let a personal chef help you indulge without overindulging

Hiring a personal chef to help you with your meal planning is the best way to lose weight without sacrificing taste. Dietitians can help you create a healthy plan, but a personal chef can make sure it’s delicious. By customizing each dish to your liking, a personal chef can ensure you get the nutrients you need without feeling deprived of the foods you love. And because they do all the cooking and clean-up, you’ll have more time to focus on your fitness goals. So if you wish to lose weight without giving up tasty food, hire a personal chef. 

Author Profile

George Zappas

Executive Chef

George Zappas, CookinGenie's Executive Chef, is a passionate culinary professional with 15+ years of experience. George calls Cincinnati home and is dedicated to creating unforgettable dining experiences, mentoring chefs, and inspiring food exploration.

You May Also Like

Plant-based diets and sustainable eating

Nov 21, 2022

How to Switch to Plant-Based Diets and Sustainable Eating

A plant-based diet focuses on consuming whole, unprocessed plant foods. This diet includes fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. A growing body of research has shown that...

Read More

Vegan & Vegetarian - CookinGenie

Jun 02, 2021

Trying to Eat More Vegan and Vegetarian Food? CookinGenie Can Help

One of the most dominant food trends over the past several years has been the rise of veganism. Back in 2004, there were only about 300,000 vegans living in the...

Read More

The Path to a Healthier You Building a Balanced Diet

Mar 18, 2023

The Path to a Healthier You: Building a Balanced Diet

Eating healthy has become more than just a fad; it’s a necessity in today’s life. Processed and fast foods are now completely ubiquitous – they can be found in supermarkets,...

Read More

Family Fun in Cleveland

Sep 06, 2023

Top Activities for Family Fun in Cleveland

Planning a family fun day might seem like a puzzle, with everyone’s interests to consider. But fear not! It’s all about weaving those bonds and making memories. Family bonding is...

Read More

CookinGenie Valentine's Day Menu

Jan 27, 2022

Valentine’s Day Menu Specials to Impress Your Partner

One of the most amazing things that separate CookinGenie from visiting any restaurant is the variety of the available chefs and their menus. To help you narrow down your delightful...

Read More

How to make family meals more nutritious

Jan 10, 2023

Easy Ways to Make Your Family Meals More Nutritious  

Eating together as a family is one of life’s great joys, and it can be a powerful way to build strong relationships. But let’s face it: amid the hustle and...

Read More

Personal Chef or Caterer - Who to choose - CookinGenie

Feb 25, 2022

Personal Chef or Caterer – Who to Choose for a Dinner Party?

You’ve decided that you’re going to throw a dinner party. It’s time to gather up your friends and family to spend some quality time together over a good meal. No...

Read More

Must Try Foods in Cleveland

Jul 14, 2023

7 Must-Try Foods in Cleveland

The options for finding the best food in a city like Cleveland can seem endless. With countless eateries serving delicious dishes, getting lost in the sea of options is easy....

Read More

Meal Delivery vs. Personal Chef

Apr 19, 2023

Why Hiring a Personal Chef is Much Better than Online Food Delivery?

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you are too busy to cook but still want to eat healthy and delicious meals? Well, you’re not alone. Many people...

Read More

Book A Personal Chef

Don't settle for ordinary, elevate your event with a personal chef

You May Also Like

Hiring a Private Chef for an Unforgettable Vacation 1

Sep 15, 2022

Hiring a Private Chef for an Unforgettable Vacation

Are you planning a vacation but dread the thought of staying in a hotel? If so, you’re not alone. Nowadays, more and more people are opting for vacation rentals instead...

Read More

Vegetarian Dinner Party Ideas

Jan 14, 2023

Creative Vegetarian Appetizers to Wow Your Guests

As a conscientious eater, it may be challenging to find appetizers that are both vegetarian-friendly and flavorful. But there is an abundance of delicious options that don’t require you to...

Read More

10 Popular Gift Ideas

Jun 28, 2023

10 Popular Gift Ideas from Local Businesses in Columbus

Gift-giving is a cherished tradition that allows us to express love, appreciation, and thoughtfulness toward our loved ones. With the holiday season approaching, it’s an excellent opportunity to discover distinctive...

Read More

Reducing Food Wastage at Home

Jan 12, 2023

Tips for Reducing Food Waste at Home

For many people across the globe, wasting food is common. We are taking larger portions than we can eat and buying more groceries than we can consume. Our shopping and...

Read More

Plant-Based Eating for the Planet How to Start a Sustainable Lifestyle

Feb 21, 2023

Plant-Based Eating for the Planet: How to Start a Sustainable Lifestyle 

The plant-based eating movement is gaining more popularity each day. It seems like everyone’s talking about it – from celebrities and influencers to our friends and family. This trend has...

Read More

Jul 28, 2020

Ensuring Your Safety

CookinGenie makes enjoying fresh food simple – our Genies shop, cook, and clean, and you get to enjoy! But in the world of COVID-19, what is the risk of having...

Read More

process of hiring a personal chef - CookinGenie blog

Nov 29, 2021

A Complete Process of Hiring a Personal Chef for Your Next Dinner Party

You’ve got a dinner party coming up, and you’re going through all of the different options you have available to you. However, if you’re not considering hiring a personal chef to handle...

Read More

Alternatives to Eating at Cincinnati Restaurants

Jun 08, 2023

7 Best Alternatives to Eating at Cincinnati Restaurants

Are you planning to visit Cincinnati any sooner? Are you aware this city is a culinary paradise, celebrating its rich heritage through tantalizing tastes and flavors? Beyond traditional Cincinnati restaurants...

Read More

A lady with groceries for cooking - CookinGenie blog for personal chef

Oct 20, 2021

A Complete Guide to Hiring a Personal Chef

In our hectic, fast-paced world, we all need a little help getting through our daily lives. As the work, chores, and tasks pile up, it can be helpful to hire...

Read More

hubspot