Holiday Tip Sheet: Eat, drink and be merry?

Just the smell of roast turkey, stuffing, gingerbread and eggnog is enough to make many Americans feel the inches being added to their waistline. The good news is that most people have less to be concerned about than they think.

• Large holiday meals cause many Americans to feel guilty at the extra pounds they think the meal will cause them to gain, says Richard Nisbett, University of Michigan professor of psychology. However, this guilt is unnecessary, as “one great big meal is not going to cause anyone to put on weight. Food is regulated in a 72-hour cycle, and one large meal will most likely be compensated for by smaller meals in the following days.”

For more information contact Nisbett at (734) 761-5847 or nisbett@umich.edu

• It is true that many holiday foods are fattening, as are alcoholic beverages, says Sheila Gahagan, U-M associate professor in the pediatrics and communicable diseases department,. “One thing that happens during holidays for adults is that they get a lot of calories from alcohol.” However, the good news is that increased activity will allow you to avoid gaining extra pounds.

For more information contact Gahagan at (734) 936-9777 or sgahagan@umich.edu

Richard Nisbettnisbett@umich.edupediatrics and communicable diseasessgahagan@umich.edu