Eating Plans for Holidays?

[MightyMartha]

What is everybody planning to do for Thanksgiving and Christmas? Do a low-carb modified menu or just throw the diet book out the window for that day only? I'm thinking to modify a Thanksgiving menu for low carb (possibly using a few higher-rung foods but basically staying under 25 carbs) and then eat what I want on Christmas, but not 100% decided on either.

[barrnone]

Re: Eating Plans for Holidays?

For thanksgiving - which is just my immediate family - I'm sure I will modify mine for low-carb, but having some options for the kids...the plan has not been set. My kids are probably a little concerned, but whatever I make - I bet they enjoy!

For Christmas - we celebrate with both sides of the family and both are pot-luck. I will make sure to take plenty for my hub and I to be satisfied.

It will be interesting, but I'm determined to make it work!

[krispysky]

Re: Eating Plans for Holidays?

I plan to stay on legal foods--maybe indulge more than I should, but every time my sister has gone off plan and I haven't, she's gained and I've still lost, so it's not worth it in my mind! I have too far to go to teeter totter back and forth.

[Barb1965]

Re: Eating Plans for Holidays?

I'm cooking this year, so there will be plenty of low carb fair, but I'm not changing the menu at all really from usual. For appetizers I'll make a veggie platter, and a cheese platter, I'll put some crackers out, but I can skip the crackers without any problem.

My family doesn't like sweet potatoes or cranberry sauce (neither do I) so don't have to worry about those. I used to make corn pudding for my dad and sis (it was their favorite) but they both died, so I'll not be doing that any more. So we'll have turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, brocolli with cheese and probably some green beans for those that don't like brocolli, and dinner rolls. I'll skip the dinner rolls, was never a big fan even before. I will probably allow myself one spoonful of both mashed potatoes and gravy and stuffing, the rest will be legal.

For desert, hubby is making a pumpkin pie (yuck, I hate pumpkin), my nephew is making a chocoloate pie (he makes his with instant pudding mix instead of the kind you cook, so yuck again) and me, I'm making a low carb cheese cake, so I'll be good with that. So yes, I'm planning for a small cheat, but it won't be all out and I will not allow it to derail me.

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Eating Plans for Holidays?

>>throw the diet book out the window for that day only?>>

No reason to do that!

>>eat what I want on Christmas>>

I've seen people do that.

It often takes them until <insert date in the future> to get back on track!

If you can have a low carb Thanksgiving, you can have a low carb Christmas!

[Georgiana]

Re: Eating Plans for Holidays?

No Thanksgiving in Germany...

But for Christmas I will have friends over. It's going to be a potlike thing... I will bring low carb stuff: smoked salmon rolls, marinated vegetables, roast beef, some salad I'm not yet decided about... bacon wrapped chicken breast... nuts... and I might make a cheesecake.

eat what I want on Christmas

I've seen more members than I want to admit who thought the same way as you do... and went off plan for a holiday or a special occasion... thinking they can just get back "on track" afterwards. Well... months or years after, they are still struggling to get their eating back under control. You might want to learn from them and instead of "eating what you want" (which shows 0 planning!), plan a healthy, low carb meal.

[bellajgw]

Re: Eating Plans for Holidays?

Thanksgiving will be on plan..turkey, some veggies, and I'll make a cheesecake and an appetizer that are friendly.

Christmas...I do plan on allowing myself a little indulgence but I have set goals to get to and don't want to derail myself. I know from experience how hard it is to get back on plan after getting off for the holidays but getting back on plan after messing up has been the top thing I've been working on over the past few years and I have gotten much better at it. In the past 3 months I've had the momentary slip and I've gotten right back on plan with the next meal and not let it ruin my momentum. That being said, not everyone can and should try to be realistic, not optimistic.

Perhaps going off plan entirely isn't the best idea, but if you need a spoonful of chocolate to make Christmas special, then it's your life and your decision. I just refuse to just go "off plan" for the day or week....a bite, a moment, perhaps...but if I have it planned I know it will be easier FOR ME, than if it was unplanned and uncontrolled.

That's my plan, at least.

[krispysky]

Re: Eating Plans for Holidays?

I spent a lot of time on Linda's recipe site yesterday picking out recipes. There really is no reason to go off plan. There are SO MANY wonderful Atkins-friendly recipes for meals and desserts and even candies. I don't think I'll feel a bit deprived!

[MightyMartha]

Re: Eating Plans for Holidays?

Hmmm...lots of food for thought here. I so far have gone off plan twice (for more than one day) and gotten back on. Have never done a planned cheat, however, so don't know how that would work out.

Thanksgiving is just going to be my daughter and I, so it really won't be a big issue. We will spend Christmas with my sister and her boyfriend, and there are traditional foods (dressing and cranberry sauce, a carrot cake) that I really do not want to go without. I think I can handle the "holiday season" as I don't usually go to parties, and once I am at my sister's, will enjoy introducing her to some of the low carb snacks I've discovered for noshing, but I think for Christmas day meal I will allow myself the traditional foods. That is my plan right now, anyway.

[MightyMartha]

Re: Eating Plans for Holidays?

I can't imagine an Atkins' friendly cornbread dressing.

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Eating Plans for Holidays?

>>cranberry sauce,>>

Easy enough.

1 bag (12 ounces) of cranberries, fresh or frozen
@ 1/4 – 1/3 cup granular Splenda
Place cranberries, Splenda, and 3 Tbs. of water in a pan. Bring to a boil over medium heat and cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally or until cranberries pop.
Remove from heat and cool.


>>I think for Christmas day meal I will allow myself the traditional foods. That is my plan right now, anyway.>>

You know ... you can have "new" traditional foods, too!

[Jenileigh]

Re: Eating Plans for Holidays?

We visit family for both holidays and the meals will be traditional. I'm picking a few recipes to try from Linda's site and I plan to do as Barb suggested, staying on plan with almost all of my food for Thanksgiving with the exception of a spoonful of stuffing and gravy.

For Christmas I am going to do the same, making sure I take a few recipes for us, we can still have the ham and greenbeans, ect... so I am NOT planning to do a full cheat or day off. I'm just too afraid I won't be able to get back on the wagon. I've been off of it for a long time now.....over 8 years. I don't want to chance that again.

[dewolfe]

Re: Eating Plans for Holidays?

after reading what Krispysky said -- I'm going to do that !!!

Great Great Great idea!!!

[barrnone]

Re: Eating Plans for Holidays?

One holiday this year - I believe it was mothers day - I took all my own food - enough to share, but at least I was covered. My family loved what I brought and I didn't feel cheated at all.

If the food is good, who's going to complain. For Thanksgiving, I think I will send my menu to my children - all on plan. If they want to bring a dish, non-atkins - that will be their choice, plus a good experience [since I've always made the meal in the past]. I look at it as a challege and a chance to be creative!

[Valinerya]

Re: Eating Plans for Holidays?

I really have no idea... everything my mother makes is loaded with carbs. I don't have any idea what to do other than not eat! I guess I can have a bit of the turkey, that's about it.