The holidays are here and I’m here with some holiday weight loss tips for this time where we become inundated with food gifts, and leftovers, leaving some of the biggest holiday temptations right in your own home! Whether it’s the leftovers from the holiday party you hosted, the cookies your real estate agent left on your doorstep, or the gingerbread house your mom dropped off for the kids, excess food and treats end up at home much more frequently during the holidays. 

Have a plan for handling leftovers and treats at home. To stay on track, make it a habit to get rid of food gifts & leftovers! 

It’s never really indulging in a holiday treat or meal that gets you. It’s continuing to eat these things for the days and weeks to follow that does! 

When it comes to your holiday leftovers, pack up what you can for your guests to go home with and toss the rest. 

Think it’s a waste of money? The money has already been spent. Eating the leftovers won’t get the money back. 

Other people in your family like the leftovers? Pack up a “portion” for them and put it in an out-of-direct view place in the fridge. Hopefully, you will not eat that one slice of your child’s favorite cake you saved for them. 

When it comes to food gifts, there are a number of ways to share the love.

1. Take it to the office and let the piranhas at it. My husband took a ton of cake pops and other desserts to his office after our Hanukkah party last year and he said it was all gone in a matter of minutes!

2. Re-gift it! Take the cookies from the realtor over to your neighbor or better yet, leave them outside your door with a note for the Amazon delivery person. Regifting allows you to spread happiness and stay on track.

3. Donate it to a local community organization or food pantry. I’ve noticed there are lots of organizations collecting things for Christmas for families in need right now. 

4. If need be just throw it out! And don’t feel bad because ditching it does not discount the kind intentions behind the gift. 

If you don’t have it in the house, it’s not there for you to eat. End of struggle.

I share this holiday weight loss tip year after year…
Stop relying on willpower. 
Instead, arrange your environment so you don’t have to.

The key is to keep it moving! Get leftovers and food gifts out of the house as soon as possible. 

As I always say, BETTER IN THE TRASH THAN ON YOUR ASS or thighs or belly!

The post Holiday Weight Loss Tips: Food Gifts & Leftovers appeared first on The Real Deal Weight Loss.

Let’s start with appetizers…

Spinach & Kale Greek Yogurt Dip

This is my all time fave!! This dip is so low-cal, you’ll be shocked at how yummy it is! Just 30 calories for a 2 tablespoon serving!! Pair this with veggies or crackers as an appetizer and you won’t go into the meal feeling “stuffed”!

Scallops Wrapped in UnCured Bacon with Brown Sugar Glaze

These satisfying and fancy looking appetizers couldn’t be easier to make and are just 60 calories each.

Creamy Spinach Artichoke Dip

Trader Joe’s most popular appetizer has only 45 calories for two creamy and delicious tablespoons!

Green Bean Casserole Bites

Trader Joe’s has taken that famous Green Bean Casserole, and re-imagined it in appetizer form! You could also serve it with your main meal for a perfectly portion controlled side . Just 30 calories each! 

The bite-sized phyllo dough cups are filled with that familiar mixture of green beans, mushrooms, heavy cream, and Cheddar cheese. They sprinkle crispy fried onions on top—a finishing touch that most people would consider the distinctive mark of this holiday classic. Just 7 to 12 minutes at 400°F (Pro tip: 7 minutes in your air fryer makes for an even crispier exterior.)

Onto the main event and the delicious sides we all love. But first, let’s address prep. Using these products will help you with your day of cooking and eating!

Mirepoix

Mirepoix , mix of onions carrots and celery. Use as a starter for so many holiday dishes. Shaves so much time off prep! This is a Trader Joe’s Holiday products staple.

Prepped Veggies

All the pre washed and chopped seasonal basics . We love shortcuts 

Now we are talking dinner…

Asparagus or Mushroom Risotto

These creamy delicious risottos can be on your holiday table in just 5 minutes. Only 150 calories for a one cup serving for the asparagus and 160 for the mushroom.

Potato Pancakes

Everyone knows these are the hands down best latkes anywhere. I will never bother with the mess of  making my own or spend a fortune on getting them freshly made somewhere. They are a huge hit every single year and just 150 calories for a 2 latke serving. I serve them with reduced fat sour cream.

One Potato Two Potato

This  hearty GRATIN  side dish will only set you back 150 calories for a one cup serving. Two types of potatoes, two types of mushrooms and two types of cheese will make this creamy, easy to heat up side dish a hit at your holiday table.

Broccoli and Cauliflower Gratin

This savory creamy side dish has only 130 calories per one-cup serving! it contains hearty broccoli and tender cauliflower (they make up 50% of the dish!) roasted and cocooned in a velvety, buttery sauce, then blanketed with a crust of Mozzarella & Grana Padano cheese. OMG!

Holiday Vegetable Hash

This has all the flavors of the season already cleaned and chopped up for you! Its got small dices of butternut squash, sweet potatoes, red onions, and celery, accompanied by a flavorful and fragrant herb-trio of parsley, sage, and rosemary. A beautiful, low calorie, fastened easy side or add to a holiday soup.

Colorful Carrot Coins

A beautiful array of colorful carrots that are perfectly seasoned. An excellent side to dish to your holiday meal. Ready in minutes and just 90 calories per cup!

Creamed Greens

Think of Trader Joe’s Creamed Greens as a twist on creamed spinach, with Brussels sprouts as the flavor focal point. Rich, creamy, hearty, and delicious, it’s fully cooked before being frozen, so it’s ready to heat and eat in minutes. For a holiday dinner-worthy presentation, plate it on your favorite serving dish and top with crunchy breadcrumbs and savory bacon. Just 130 calories for a generous 1 cup serving 

Trader Joe’s has you covered for Holiday dessert too.

Mini Dark Chocolate Mint Stars

THINK Girl Scout Thin Mints with sprinkles. And you can have 13 of these adorable, insanely delicious cookies for just 130 calories!!! Consider getting a storage unit and stocking up as they are only available for a short time!!!

Mini Peppermint Meringues

These are amazing and you shouldn’t go through the season without having them! Just 80 calories for 11 meringues ..plenty to satisfy your holiday sweet tooth without breaking the calorie bank!

These products help me make my holidays easy and delicious! Some of these items are seasonal and only available for a limited time so hop on over to your local Trader Joe’s and try some of my favorites this holiday season.

The post My Favorite Trader Joe’s Holiday Products 2021 appeared first on The Real Deal Weight Loss.