by Samara Alpern
Daily Lobo columnist
Like a truck with no brakes barreling down Raton Pass, the holiday season is fast approaching. It's the time of year when dietitians are probably the least popular.
Vicky Mares, a dietitian at Sandia Labs, says, "My office is pretty quiet this time of year. It's after New Year's when things get really busy."
For most Americans, the holiday season is the season for gluttony.
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Frankly, eating until you have to unzip your pants once or twice a year isn't that big of a deal. In fact, if we only ate too much of Grandma's chocolate pie once or twice a year, our obesity rates would not be ballooning to the terrifying degree they are today.
The problem occurs when we set aside eight weeks for a holiday season to "be bad." And, thanks to our consumer-driven economy, merchants are opening the holiday season earlier and earlier.
There is a common sense way to approach the holidays that permits you to indulge yourself and spare your pant seams from undue distress. Respect our holidays for what they are: feast days.
Let's dissect those words in a little detail.
First, the feast. Feasting is an activity common to all human cultures. Feasting is how we express and accept love for one another. Feasting is how we mark a day as special. Feasting is how we celebrate. Elaborate eating rituals are rich in family tradition and history. Feasting is something we should all do - once or twice a year. Which brings me to the next word: day.
A holiday is a day - not a week, not a month, and not even three months, as vendors are wont to suggest - unless you're Jewish or Muslim. Don't worry, I didn't forget you.
For Jews reading my column, make a common sense decision to limit your high-volume latke consumption the first night of Hanukkah.
For Muslims observing Ramadan, it's understandable that fasting all day can give you quite an appetite at night, but try not to consume more at night than you would over the course of a regular day.
For the rest of us, while sensible, limiting ourselves to a single day of indulgence isn't necessarily easy. For one thing, there are a lot of highly anticipated holiday foods that are only available for a limited time and tempt you at every turn. I, for one, look forward to winter for one reason only: eggnog.
But there are hundreds of other temptations from gingerbread to pumpkin pie. Limit your consumption of these foods for feast days. During the rest of the holiday season, be mindful of the sugar, fat and calories, and limit your portion sizes accordingly, if not eliminate these foods altogether.
In the nonfeast days that make up the holiday season, continue to apply simple, common sense eating habits that help keep your appetite balanced.
Drink plenty of water. Many of us confuse feelings of thirst for hunger. When you slake your thirst with a soda, you are feeding your body food - that is, sugar. Still dehydrated, your body will ask for more.
If you make sure you are well hydrated with two to three liters of good old New Mexico tap, you lessen the chance of mixing up thirst and hunger.
Eat 2-1/2 cups of vegetables each day. Eating your vegetables not only helps to ensure you get vitamins, minerals and fiber, but also takes appetite away for less healthful treats.
Ignore stupid health tips that will mess up delicious holiday foods. While it's great to explore new healthy cooking techniques, some suggestions are just horrible.
For example, I found this gem on the Internet: "Substitute flour mixed with skim milk for cream." Mmmm - nothing makes me get into the Thanksgiving spirit like a slurry of raw flour and skim milk.
Finally, look forward to the holiday. Know there is a time and a place to freely enjoy the holidays. Not every day is a holiday, but that's what makes it special.
