The holidays are here! I’m already getting lots of people calling me making appointments for after the holidays. Great, but it’s the “holiday mindset” that gets people into trouble. One of the best and worst things about the holidays is the food. We are dazzled when thinking about the extravagant spreads, seasonal foods and delectable treats. Then come January you spend months trying to get those nasty added pounds off. Every year it seems you end up munching and drinking a little too much. I am here to tell you there is a balance between enjoying the holiday season and overindulging. Some foods and drinks can become problematic almost instantly. A bloated belly can be very uncomfortable and sometimes finding the right foods can be a challenge. However, with an array of tempting holiday choices it’s time to learn about the biggest trouble makers:

1. High Sodium Foods. Salt may not sound alarming since its calorie free; but excess sodium causes your body to hold onto water weight causing swelling most noticeably in hands, ankles, feet and tummy. So think twice when you are pilling your plate full of those yummy high-sodium hors d’oeuvers.

2. Refined Carbohydrates. Why is it that everywhere you look those tempting sugary treats are staring you in the face and begging to be eaten? Aunt Bea’s delectable Christmas cookies, co-worker Susie’s fancy fudge, those yummy treats are absolutely irresistible. Unfortunately mouthwatering pleasures contain saturated fats and refined sugars that can gradually pack on the pounds and expand your waistline over time.

3. Alcohol. Since alcohol is a source of empty calories and can increase your appetite, if consumed in excess it can be a major reason for weight gain and belly bloat. So when you just can’t say no to alcohol, limit the amount you drink and follow a few simple rules:

• Drink alcohol at the end of the meal, best to have a full tummy to ward off unhealthy temptations and overeating.

• Avoid high calorie mixers, instead mix your drink with club soda or seltzer water with a squeeze of lemon or lime.

• Best choices for alcohol are champagne, wine spritzers or light beer.

While you probably won’t gain a large amount of weight over one holiday season, for many of us those pesky pounds tend to stick around and that’s when the trouble begins. Telling yourself you will all of a sudden take your health seriously come January is selling yourself short. Why wait, if you take healthy steps now, come the first of the year you won’t need to undo what you have worked so hard to do January-November.

-Wendy