Tips for Surviving The Holiday Gain Game From Dancing the Night Away to Eating Oatmeal, You Can Manage Holiday Weight Gain!

The following information is for editors' consideration as they develop stories surrounding holiday eating and New Years resolutions with emphasis to their readers regarding the recent release of the ever-climbing obesity statistics. Included are some easy tips for sticking to those sometimes-lofty New Year's resolutions for keeping the pounds at bay.

CHICAGO, Dec. 20, 2001 -- Maybe theres a reason why the symbol for the indulgent season -- that period between Thanksgiving and New Years Day -- is a jolly, large man in a red suit. As sure as Santa and his sleigh, extra pounds come around every holiday season.

Planning to prevent unwanted weight gain is one of the best gifts you can give yourself this holiday season," said Carolyn ONeil, registered dietitian and former CNN journalist who has reported on food and nutrition for over 20 years.

According to a National Institutes of Health study, the weight people gain during the holiday season adds up year after year and may be a major contributor to heart disease, diabetes and obesity later in life. The further bad news: nearly 60 percent of Americans are presently overweight and 22 percent are considered obese -- cumulative holiday weight gain may be particularly problematic for this segment of the population as they are unlikely to lose the pounds they gain during the holiday season, which add up after five, ten or twenty indulgent holiday seasons.

And, admit it, sticking to a healthy diet amidst all the yuletide celebrating can be a challenge, but it is possible.

Navigating holiday taste temptations and implementing simple steps into your daily routine, such as taking the stairs instead of the escalator while gift shopping, will help you stay on top of the holiday gain game and on the path to a healthy New Year."

The key to maintaining your weight is to start each day with a healthy breakfast -- select foods high in fiber and rich in nutrients like oatmeal and orange juice. People who eat breakfast, especially cereal, are better able to maintain a healthy weight," said ONeil. Breakfast skippers are heavier."

ONeil added that one of oatmeals many health benefits is satiety. It makes you feel full longer." Also, research shows the soluble fiber in oatmeal slows the absorption of carbohydrates to help provide your body with a constant flow of energy, while orange juice is an excellent source of essential nutrients that your body needs for optimum health to get you through the holiday hustle bustle.

ONeil offers up more tips for enduring the annual high-risk, indulgent season.

- Start each day with a strategy. More than any other time of the year, planning is paramount during the holiday season to avoid weight gain year after year. You will need a course of action -- food choices, such as oatmeal, that give you energy to survive the holiday hustle bustle and ward off hunger pangs that may cause overeating.

- Eat foods that curb appetite. A recent study by the New York Obesity Research Center at St.
Lukes-Roosevelt Hospital Center shows that people who eat oatmeal for breakfast were not as hungry through the morning and ate less at lunch. The fiber in oatmeal slows the rate of emptying from the stomach making a person feel fuller for a longer period of time, an effect called satiety."

- Bone up on calcium. Research shows that calcium may actually curb weight gain. The study found that a higher calcium intake can reduce overall levels of body fat and slow weight gain. A great way to sneak more calcium into your diet is a glass of calcium-fortified orange juice, which provides a more absorbable type of calcium than other calcium supplements.

- Dont run on empty. Don't go to a holiday party hungry and don't "save your appetite" for a big end-of-the day holiday meal. Fill up on fiber before the party and you will be less tempted to overindulge during the party. Try high fiber foods that can actually help you manage your weight like oatmeal, light popcorn, apples and oranges. High-fiber foods like oatmeal, which ranks third among foods for its ability to satisfy appetite and hunger, have been found to be more satisfying than low-fiber foods.

- Snack smart. Find ways to enjoy the tastes you crave during the holidays without excess calories and fat -- think a packet of instant cinnamon roll oatmeal instead of a gigantic cinnamon bun.

- Stay active. When you're going holiday shopping, park at the farthest end of the parking lot instead of circling for the closest spot. Carry those packages all the way back to the car. Get moving on the dance floor at holiday parties to burn extra calories consumed.

- Remember portion control. Take small portions of a variety of foods and take time to savor the flavor. Even your favorite party foods and holiday desserts can be enjoyed in sensible portions.

- Let go of the guilt. If you, well, have your cake and eat it too, be easy on yourself. Start over the next day -- eat a little less and get some physical activity. Most importantly, enjoy the spirit of the season -- being among
family and friends -- rather than just the food; and youll be well on your way to a healthy and happy New Year.

For more information on oatmeal and its health benefits, log on to www.quakeroatmeal.com. For more information about orange juice as an excellent source of essential nutrients your body needs for optimum health, log on to www.tropicana.com.