9 Ways to Not Destroy Your Diet at a Wedding

by Tanya Edwards



CN Digital Archives
CN Digital Archives

Weddings are packed with romance and fun, but they're also full of lots of high-calorie drinks and food. If you have to hit more than one wedding this summer, you want to have a great time without packing on the pounds--especially if you have to fit into a too-tight bridesmaid dress. Here are our best tips for having a blast at your friends' weddings without the diet-busting guilt.

1. Wedding Diet Tip: Plan Ahead
You know the big day is coming (as if the bride will let you forget), so set yourself up to be successful. Elisa Zied, M.S., R.D.N., C.D.N., a registered dietitian and nutritionist and author of Nutrition at Your Fingertips, says: "When you're trying to maintain a healthy weight and eat nutritiously and mindfully, plan ahead. Eat well that day and a few days before. Cut out some treats and alcohol for a couple of days leading up to the event."

2. Wedding Diet Tip: Color Code Cocktail Hour
"Avoid anything that is bright blue or neon green," says Frances Largeman-Roth, R.D., author of the upcoming Eating in Color: Delicious, Healthy Recipes for You and Your Family. "These drinks have obviously been made with a mix and will include artificial colors and flavors and are pretty much guaranteed to give you a hangover."

3. Wedding Diet Tip: Toast the Cute Couple
Best news ever: Champagne, at about 100 calories for five ounces, is one of the lower-calorie drink choices. "Of course you can have a little champagne, if you enjoy it!" Zied says. If you're not drinking alcohol, Zied suggests trying water, club soda, or seltzer mixed with a splash of 100-percent fruit or vegetable juice for an even lower-calorie option.

CN Digital Archive
CN Digital Archive

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4. Wedding Diet Tip: Have an Appetizer Strategy
When if comes to appetizers, "start with the healthier fare and then have one or two of your absolute favorite options," Zied says. Keep it healthy with grilled vegetables or raw veggies and dip (but just a little dip--1 tablespoon). Chicken skewers, steamed dumplings (especially veggie or shrimp), and shrimp cocktail (even a little cocktail sauce) can also fit into a healthy diet. Zied also recommends mozzarella and tomato as a healthy option.

5. Wedding Diet Tip: Skip Stuffed Starters
Again, one or two appetizers (ahem, not one of each!) won't wreck your diet. But, according to Zied, "limit sliders, stuffed anything (stuffed mushrooms, for example), fried egg rolls or spring rolls, pigs in a blanket, or anything that resembles a puffed pastry. Anything made in phyllo dough (such as spanakopita or turnovers) can pack in calories."

6. Wedding Diet Tip: Beware of the Buffet
The all-you-can-eat buffet can be a diet disaster if you don't have a strategy. "Your best bet is to portion wisely with high-fiber foods," says Shira Lenchewski, R.D., a New York City nutritionist. "For starters, fill half your plate with greens--ideally salad or veggies roasted in olive oil. In terms of fish, chicken, and meat, I teach my clients 'the iPhone Rule': Shoot for a serving the size and width of your smartphone (around 3 ounces). Keep grain servings to a cup, and aim for whole grains if possible, such as brown rice, quinoa, or a whole-wheat roll."

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7. Wedding Diet Tip: Choose Your Entrée Carefully
Stick with the fish instead of chicken or beef, but be careful: "From a health perspective, the fish is often the best bet, but not if it's breaded and fried," Largeman-Roth says. "Look out for other menu descriptions that can tip you off to unhealthy preparations, like crusted, creamy, loaded, etc. When in doubt, order the vegetarian option if it's offered. At least you know you'll be getting some vegetables."

8. Wedding Diet Tip: Have Some Cake
The rule of thumb for desserts is to slow down and savor. "If you've been incorporating clean eating into your lifestyle, then a few bites of cake will likely satisfy your sweet tooth," Lenchewski says. "If you're really itching for the whole sliver, then go for it, but truly enjoy it, and don't beat yourself up afterward."

9. Wedding Diet Tip: Keep Things in Perspective
"It is absolutely, positively OK to indulge sometimes--but it's important to stay consistent in your habits and realize that celebrating does not have to be mostly about food," Zied says. "You can enjoy yourself, eat some of the foods, and get drinks you enjoy but don't normally have, without going overboard."

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