7 Secrets to a Skinny Holiday

Weight Loss Tips to Survive the Holidays

If you're trying to lose weight, the entire month of December can be one challenge after another.  You want to enjoy the Season, but you don't want to hit January looking like Santa.  You can enjoy the holidays while still being mindful of your weight loss goals.  Keep these secrets in mind and you may hit the New Year farther ahead in your weight loss journey.

  1. Keep Moving: Now's not the time to give up on your exercise routine.  If you're having trouble getting to the gym, walk around the block for 15 minutes. Park your car far away from the mall entrance, or take a flight of stairs instead of the escalator or elevator.  Do whatever you can to burn extra calories.
  2. Eyes on the Prize: Put your goal front and center. Write down your goal weight and post it in a place you'll see it every day: the bathroom mirror, garage door, or refrigerator door.  What do you want to look or feel like when you've achieved your goal weight? Post a photo instead of a number.  The reminder will help you stay on track, making healthy choices throughout the holiday season.
  3. Find a Buddy: Losing weight and living a healthy lifestyle is easier when you have friends and family to support you.  Find a comrade who will help you stick to your plan in a positive, encouraging way during the holiday season and all year round.
  4. Spoil Your Dinner: If you're going to a holiday party, eat a healthy snack or light meal before you leave.  By trimming your appetite, you are less likely to overindulge.
  5. Host a Party: By hosting yourself, you are most likely to have healthy food choices for everyone.  If you're going to a party, taking a healthy dish with you.  Fresh fruit and vegetables are always popular. Dips can be made with low fat Greek yogurt instead of regular sour cream or a pasta salad with low carb, 0 calorie Skinny Noodles Shirataki instead of traditional pasta. All the guests will thank you!
  6. Avoid Alcohol: Alcoholic drinks are a double whammy because of the extra calories and your lowered inhibitions. If you choose to drink, make it wine or clear liquor with tonic, soda, or plain water to keep the calorie count down.  Try to nurse one drink for as long as possible, or alternate between alcoholic drinks and water -- which (Bonus!) also reduces chances of a hangover.
  7. Skinny Shiratki Noodles Spaghetti
    Take a healthy pasta salad with low carb, 0 calorie
    Skinny Noodles Shirataki Spaghetti to a holiday gathering!


  8. Get Plenty of Sleep: Yes, it's sometimes hard during the hectic days of December to get enough shut eye, but recent studies suggest you need at least 8 hours a night to keep key hormones in balance.  In particular, those who were sleep-deprived had higher levels of a hormone called ghrelin that stimulates appetite. Remember hitting the sack just might help you wiggle into your skinny jeans sooner rather than later.

Skinny Chocolate Cookies for the Holidays

The secret to the 9 calorie holiday cookie you can afford to eat!

You can watch your waist and enjoy holiday baking
with Skinny Chocolate Cookies!

This week (December 1-7) marks National Cookie Cutter Week and National Cookie Day (December 4).  Yes, holiday baking season is indeed upon us!  

Unfortunately, the holidays can be a rather trying time for those watching their weight or those with diabetes or gluten sensitivity.  You can take a couple different approaches: Eating moderately and exercising to compensate for the extra calories; or avoiding sweets entirely for instance.

We'd like to suggest another tactic. Try these moist chocolate cookies made with Skinny Noodles Shirataki.  At first, eating cookies made with Skinny Noodles might sound crazy, but these flourless cake-like cookies might just satisfy your sweet tooth and chocolate cravings. And with only 9 calories and 1.5g carbohydrates per gluten-free cookie, you can afford to eat more than one.  If you're willing to add a few more calories, you can sprinkle these goodies with a few chopped hazelnuts or sliced almonds. You can even make your own Mini Skinny Whoopie Pies by placing a tablespoon of Sugar-Free Cool Whip between two of these Skinny Chocolate Cookies.  This little holiday treat will cost you just 28 calories, 0.5g fat, and 3g of carbs.  So sneak a little jolly into your happy, healthy holiday season!


Skinny Chocolate Cookies

Adapted from a recipe by mitochondrialdepletionsyndrome.blogspot.com

1 8-ounce package Skinny Noodles Shirataki Spaghetti
Skinny Noodles Shirataki Spaghetti have 0 calories,
0g fat, and <1g carbs per serving.
2 medium egg whites
3 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1/8 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp Splenda for Baking (honey or Stevia can be substituted)
1 dash salt
Non-stick cooking spray

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Open and rinse Skinny Noodles thoroughly with warm water in a strainer. Drain well.
3. In a large dry frying pan, cook Skinny Noodles on high heat. Stir frequently. As Skinny Noodles begin to dry, they will "squeak," losing some transparency and shriveling a bit.  Remove from heat. Let cool for 5 minutes.
4. Place dry, cooked Skinny Noodles in food processor and process for 2 minutes, or until noodles look similar to gel.
5. Add rest of ingredients. Process until well blended.  Refrigerate mixture for 45-60 minutes.
6. Cover cookie sheet with tin foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray.  Drop mixture by teaspoonfuls on to cookie sheet. Bake 10 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes and enjoy!

Makes 12 cookies (gluten-free).
Per Cookie: 9 calories, 0g fat, 1.5g carbohydrates, 0.5g fiber, 1g protein, 0mg cholesterol, 45mg sodium

Sprinkle with chopped hazelnuts (as pictured above, add before baking): Extra 4 calories and 0.5g fat per cookie

Mini Skinny Whoopie Pies

Place 1 Tablespoon Sugar-Free Cool Whip between 2 Skinny Chocolate Cookies.

Per Whoopie Pie: 28 calories, 0.5g fat, 3g carbohydrates, 0.5g fiber, 1g protein, 0mg cholesterol, 45mg sodium