Myth Busting: Fasting Before the Feast - CulinArt Group

Eat Well Blog

Myth Busting: Fasting Before the Feast

CulinArt’s Dietitians debunk the popular myth that fasting before you feast is a useful healthy holiday hack!

In anticipation of a delicious festive feast, many people believe that skipping breakfast or lunch is an effective way to keep calories in check and prevent themselves from “over-doing it”. While this seems like a practical approach, research suggests otherwise. Skipping meals during the day may result in overeating. It is especially important to have breakfast, as research shows that those who eat this important morning meal tend to consume fewer calories throughout the day. Include lots of fiber by eating fruits, vegetables and whole grains; these foods will satisfy hunger and are lower in calories. Arriving to a holiday meal feeling famished may lead to over-consumption of “empty calorie” foods, those high in sugar and added fats, as your body will crave foods that will raise your low blood sugar after having fasted all day.

There are many strategies to help you avoid overeating:

  • An hour or two before the holiday meal have a balanced snack that incorporates carbohydrate and/or protein-Greek yogurt, fruit and a piece of cheese, or a small handful of nuts are good options that will curb your appetite and keep blood sugar steady.
  • Using a smaller plate encourages proper portion sizes and allows you to be mindful of your hunger and fullness cues.
  • Begin by filling your plate with fiber rich vegetables and salad and then move on to the entrees and desserts.
  • Eating a salad before your meal can help you feel more satisfied due to the high fiber content.
  • Take stock of the options available and choose foods that you truly want to eat.
  • Eat slowly; take time to enjoy every bite and focus on the family and friends that surround you.
  • Before you go back for seconds wait 10 minutes to see if you really still are hungry.
  • Remember, liquid calories count too! Flavored water, seltzer, and unsweetened teas are all calorie free and will help keep you hydrated. If you choose to consume alcohol containing beverages or seasonal favorites such as egg nog remember to do so in moderation and always alternate with water or other low calorie beverages.

All in all – we want you to enjoy the holiday season rather than thinking about what and when you will be eating. No need to “save your calories” for the yummy holiday meals – eat normally, listen to your cues, and fuel your body according to its everyday needs.

Enjoy all of your favorite foods, enjoy the company of friends and family, and enjoy the overall joy that the holidays bring.

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  • December 11, 2019

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What our clients are saying

“What a wonderful dinner we had tonight for our international families. The food was delicious and well presented as well.”

“Thank you for including me today in the food waste demonstration/[chef competition] and flattering me with the role of “judge.” I will proudly don the [Stop Food Waste Day] apron the next time I plan an “event” in our own kitchen. I think this is a very worthwhile cause and the statistics you read off are staggering. They, alone, can intimidate a home chef, let alone be the “driver’ for a professional one.”

“Thank you and your staff for all the care and thought you give CSW adults and students. You approach events with such care and elegance- I don’t know how you do it! Especially day after day. Please thank all your staff for their wonderful work and kind manner with all of us. Here is to a great year!”

“Many, and I do mean many, thanks for a great Parents Weekend.  I heard from so many happy parents and you all work very hard to make it happen.  In gratitude and kindness…”

“We are so thankful and so impressed by your immediate attention to our power outage. It was such a relief to see all the equipment and workers coming in within a few hours of the outage. Thank you for serving dinner to all [the] students in a very difficult circumstance. Please extend our thanks to your workers who braved cold weather to grill hamburgers and hotdogs.”

“With all the prep work from Winterim ramping up and classes continuing as usual, it's a busy time to be a Forman teacher. Imagine my delight, tired as I was, when I delved into the upscale-restaurant-quality chicken parmesan our dining hall served last night. Forman is all about support, and providing our students with a dinner of that quality is just as important a measure of support as anything that happens in a classroom.”

“I can’t thank your entire team enough for the outstanding service, food, displays, everything!  You are a master at detail, and because of that Adam and I were able to focus on the parents.  I know what a sacrifice pulling off a weekend like this means, we are so appreciative and grateful to you all for your talent and generosity.”

“I ALWAYS feel spoiled by the meal offerings at CSW (The Cambridge School of Weston) and am entirely grateful for it. As I eat today's delicious and lavish lunch (and think about yesterday's as well), I can't tell you how much I feel so well cared for here, both with the food and by the dining hall staff. CSW cares for us in so many ways, both big and small.”

“Thank You! Chef Budd [and team], you overcame a new online ordering system (and hundreds of labels daily!), provided creative and healthy menus, continued to connect with local farmers to incorporate locally sourced ingredients, and worked tirelessly to serve the school community on three campuses.  While it feels like you are all a little like the Wizard of Oz right now, working behind a curtain in a kitchen far away, we sense your smiles and your passion to deliver the best possible service during these trying times. We are all so grateful!”

“I will say that CulinArt has always been a very collaborative partner to T. Rowe Price, listening to our current needs and future goals and suggesting realistic and achievable strategies to meet those goals.  2020 was obviously no exception.  CulinArt also altered other areas of our OCS and pantry programs to create safer environments for all our associates. We can only thank you for your continued flexibility and innovative ideas through these difficult times.”

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