By Lauran Neergaard
Associated Press
WASHINGTON — The holidays seem to bring on gluttony. The stress of last-minute shopping, travel or a house full of guests makes people munch. And temptation is everywhere: cookies, candy, parties and Grandma’s high-fat favorites.
While it’s not a good time to diet, there are ways to enjoy the season’s tastiest treats without requiring a 2002 resolution to lose the 10 pounds you gained between Christmas and New Year’s.
That’s important, considering 60 percent of American adults already are overweight or obese. It’s not just a cosmetic issue. Each extra 10 pounds significantly increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes and other disorders.
California State University nutritionist Gail Frank wears a lapel pin of a slim Santa that never fails to draw laughter.
"But if Santa wants to be around for more seasons, we have to have some sense about what we eat," she said.
"Sensible eating anytime is to limit the excessively high-salt, sugary, fatty foods, but at the holidays it seems like that’s all there is — the wicked foods," said Frank, an American Dietetic Association adviser who proudly labels her own cookie recipes wicked.
"But thinking ahead, you can take control" and enjoy those foods without gluttony, she promises.
Here are some tips to navigate this perilous week between basting the Christmas turkey and toasting the New Year:
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