ASK THE "DON'T DIET" DOCTOR

Dear Dr. Dorie:
I will be attending many holiday parties in the upcoming weeks.  I don't want to overeat at these functions, but I also don't want to follow rigid rules.  Do you have suggestions?
- Party Dilemma

Dear Party Dilemma:
Parties tend to feature a variety of delectable delights, making it easy to overeat.  However, restrictive strategies designed to prevent overeating are also not an effective solution.  In my years of dieting, I remember trying strategies such as, 'Eat less during the day so you can eat more at the party,' or, 'Fill up on low-cal items like fresh veggies so you will eat fewer desserts.'  I discovered that following these strategies actually made me overeat at the party.  If I cut back on calories before the party I became too hungry and then binged to satisfy my ravenous appetite.  Also, if I ate low-cal foods when I really wanted something else, I overate those items to satisfy the taste I desired.

Instead of these restrictive strategies, try a 'don't diet' approach.  This involves listening and responding to your body's true needs.  Before the event, eat as you normally would.  By fueling your body appropriately during the day, you will have a moderate appetite when you arrive at the party.  During the event, scan the selections for the items that will best satisfy your hunger.  If something looks good, realize that you will be tempted to eat that item.  However, before you do, ask yourself if that selection is what you really want.  If so, enjoy it.  Otherwise, stick to the items that will truly satisfy you.

The day after the party, eat and be active as you normally would.  You don't have to cut back on calories to compensate after a festive event.  If you check in with your 'inner wisdom,' your body will guide you to the type and amount of food that your body needs.  For example, if you made selections at the party that were higher in fat or calories, you would find that your body probably would not be as hungry for high-fat or high-calorie items the next day.  This is your body's way of regulating its weight, naturally.

Learn how to trust your body for the type and amount of food it needs, even at parties. This way, you can focus on enjoying the people at the event, instead of worrying about your weight.

© 2006 Dr. Dorie McCubbrey, all rights reserved.  As one of America's leading experts on obesity and eating disorders, Dr. Dorie is the author of How Much Does Your Soul Weigh? (HarperCollins, 2003).  Visit www.DrDorie.com for more diet-free solutions to your food, weight and body worries.

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