Budgeting for the Holidays: Tips for spending calories wisely

By Mary Lou Perry, UVA Heart and Vascular dietitian

As the Stock Market has tumbled to an all-time low, and the holidays are approaching, I’m reminded of how my parent’s timeless financial advice mirrors wise calorie control to avoid holiday overindulgence. 

Here’s how to avoid the January reality of weight gain—and credit card bills.

Discipline of putting aside
Start your day with physical activity. Research shows we may be more successful regularly fitting in exercise into our busy day if we do it in the morning. Just like saving small amounts of money over the long-term, even a little exercise adds up.

Be mindful of what you are spending
Consciously think about what you eat or how you are “spending” your calories. During holidays and parties, we tend to eat unconsciously. To break the cycle, avoid munching on nuts and hors d’oeuvre when you arrive. First, ask for a no-calorie beverage or sparkling water. When you have socialized for a while and are ready to eat, take a minute to assess the situation. You might categorize the offerings into high-calorie and low-calorie foods. Select 1 or 2 from the high-calorie option and then fill up your plate with the lower-calorie foods.

Budgeting is all about numbers    
Calories in and calories out, it’s all about numbers. If it takes 1,800 calories to maintain your weight and you spend 3,000 calories daily for 2 weeks, you’ll gain 5 pounds! Know what things cost before you indulge.

Decide what’s important to you    
Keep it simple. Holidays are a time of stress for many people and food is a great way to manage stress … temporarily. Decide from the outset what the holidays mean to you and that it’s all about keeping perspective. Enjoy your favorite holiday classic songs, the smell of a cinnamon candle or the smile of a child. Those things don’t cost a calorie or a dime!