St Patrick's Day Foods

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

Holidays are typically a difficult time for those trying to watch their weight and St. Patrick's Day is no exception. Corned beef and Guinness are not exactly health foods but there are always ways to play it safe on a holiday.

To enjoy yourself and still keep you nutrition in check follow the tips below.

1. Food journal- If you are trying to lose, or even maintain weight, a food journal is one of the best tools you can have. Whether you track food and calories online at websites like http://www.myfitnesspal.com/ or http://www.fitday.com/ or simply jot down the foods you eat on a piece of notebook paper, the simple act of keeping track tends to curb eating. Even if you don't usually keep a food journal, do it on a holiday. Be honest about every little food and drink you consume. Seeing it all added up on paper will make you more aware of how much you are actually consuming and should help keep you in check.

2. Have a game plan- If you're going to a party or out to dinner make a plan ahead of time and stick to it. Set a healthy limit for what and how much you are going to allow yourself. This will help you stay on track in social situations as opposed to showing up unprepared and being tempted by all the food and drinks available.

3. Keep a calorie-free beverage in hand- Whether hanging out at your place with friends, at a party, or at a restaurant make sure that you always have a calorie-free (preferably water) drink available to you. It's common to mistake thirst for hunger so making sure you drink enough fluids may help you eat less. This will also keep your hands occupied and less likely to reach for the dessert tray.

4. Limit alcohol- Drinks are a big part of the holidays, especially St. Patrick's Day but they will set you way back calorie-wise. A 12 oz beer has between 90-120 calories, 1 shot of hard alcohol has about 100 calories and a 6 oz glass of red wine about 120 calories. Limit yourself to one or two drinks and drink a non-alcoholic, calorie-free beverage in between drinks.

5. Don't show up hungry- Have a small healthy snack that include some protein before heading out (don't forget to write it down in your food journal!). Never show up to a social situation hungry. If you do you will be much more likely to overeat and be unable to resist any temptation that comes your way.

Think you did well? Check out the calorie content of some popular St. Patrick's Day foods.

Corned beef (3 oz)- 213 calories, 16 g fat (5 sat), 15 g protein, 0 g carbs
Shepard's pie (1 cup)- 327 calories, 15 g fat (7 sat), 16 g protein, 32 g carbs
Fish and Chips (4 fillets, ~1 cup fries)- 756 calories, 32 g fat, 44 g protein, 73 g carbs
Guinness (1 pint)- 196 calories, 2, g protein, 18 g carbs
Jameson Irish Whiskey (1 oz)- 69 calories, 17 g carbs