Navigating Holiday Feasting While on Weight Loss Medication

With the holidays comes the excitement of sharing meals with your loved ones. However, more often than not, traditional family recipes call for a lot of fat and sugar and are not made to accommodate weight loss diets.

If you dread having to skip your favorite meals or worry that you will not be able to stick to your diet and compromise your progress, read on, as our expert at North Tex MedCare Clinic & Urgent Care, Dr. Frank Lee, shares some of the ways you can still enjoy your favorite meals without guilt.

Remind yourself how weight loss medications work

Before packing your water and light snacks to help you feel satiated and prevent overindulging in your favorite casserole, remind yourself that weight-loss medications can help with food cravings and urges. 

The anxiety you feel before the holidays about cravings and food might not reflect what will happen during the meals, because this time you have the benefits of an appetite suppressant on your side.

Embrace the notion of eating in moderation

Skipping your favorite foods during the holidays is often not sustainable. Restrictive eating patterns aren’t always productive. Instead of making you healthier, they can lead to psychological stress, which more often than not can lead to overeating later on.

When you eat your brownie, think about it as an investment, not in self-indulgence but in your mental well-being. Small treats make the journey easier, which in turn keeps you on the journey.

Prioritize the foods you love the most

You can choose which foods you want to prioritize, decide where you want to indulge, and choose one or two items to skip. Small intentional choices can keep you feeling in control without feeling deprived. You can also slow down during meals, pay attention to fullness cues, and stop eating once you feel satisfied.

Prioritize other activities 

Food plays a big role during the holidays, but memories can be made not only around the table but also while playing games, watching a movie, or caroling together. Feel free to enjoy your food, but also pay attention to other sources of joy and connection.

Start working on your weight loss now

You do not need to wait until January to make a big step. If you have been trying to lose weight on your own for a while, know that there is a better way. Dr. Lee offers both weight loss medications and biweekly or weekly coaching, so you get all the support and guidance you need to make your health journey as smooth as possible. 

Call us to schedule an appointment or book online to learn more about our weight loss programs.