Rich holiday food leads to overeating and weight gain

The average American puts on five to 11 pounds during the holidays

As winter break approaches, students have visions of home-cooked meals and holiday feasts dancing in their heads.

But they may want to think twice before making their dreams a reality. The average American puts on an extra five to 11 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year's, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research.

To help battle a possible holiday bulge, the institute offers tips that include eating before a cocktail party or family feast. By eating small portions beforehand, it is less likely for a person to overeat the season's often-fattening foods.

"Don't skip meals before going to dinner," said University Hospitals dietitian Judy Tomer. "If you go really ravenous, you're setting yourself up to overeat."

Though the holidays provide the perfect excuse to indulge, Americans often find reasons to overeat, Tomer said.

Most students say they're not worried about gaining weight during the holidays.

"I'm not concerned because I'm a strapping young lad," said LSA senior Alex Demots. "I think I'll have more time to exercise and not to just be sitting around eating." Demots asserted that "absolutely everyone" should indulge over the holidays, even "radically obese people."

Others did express some anxiety, but most thought that eating over the holidays is inevitable.

"I am concerned," said LSA sophomore Erica Gwyinn, between spoonfuls of a Wendy's Frosty. "You can get caught up in activities and not think about exercising."

To keep weight down, students do a variety of activities.

"I plan to go hiking, play basketball and go skiing over break," said LSA senior Ben Caid.

The richness of holiday food is a frequent problem: Typical festive foods, which range from appetizers to dessert sauces, are loaded with fat.

"Much of the holiday food is very fattening," Tomer said. "If food were money, it would be a $100 or $500 bill."

But there are many low-fat alternatives to calorie-heavy foods: Tomer suggested baked nacho chips and salsa rather than chips and dip. She also recommended Cabot, a cheese with 75-percent reduced fat.

She does not, however, recommend a crash diet for the new year.

"Dieting afterwards is totally counterproductive," Tomer said. "Take five to 10 minutes and walk or run up and down the dorm's stairwells. Just don't ditch your exercise."

Some students said they have eating habits that keep their waists slim.

"I'm a vegetarian, and for Christmas we'll probably eat rice, beans, and maybe fish," said LSA sophomore Derik Marrero.

But most reaction was pro-indulgence. Many students said that taking advantage of home-cooked meals is not only a right, but a responsibility.

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