Dear Basya,
I have so many Simchas coming up in the next few weeks, and I’m going to be away for the next two Shabbosim. I find staying on plan on Shabbos difficult enough as it is, but when I go away, with all the catered food and extra desserts, I really struggle. Can you help??
Signed,
Shabbos + Simcha = Trouble??
Better |
Worse |
Matza |
Challa |
Hummus |
Mayo-based dips |
Salmon |
Gefilte fish, herring |
Grilled or baked chicken |
Fried chicken |
Pickles and cucumber salad |
Cole slaw |
Cholent |
Kugels |
Cold cuts |
Kishke, galla etc. |
Ices |
Ice cream and cake |
Fresh fruit |
Nuts and dried fruit |
Dear Shabbos + Simcha = Success,
I love your question because it shows the beauty of being on a food plan that is an actual lifestyle change rather than a diet. Yes, you can go away for Shabbos, eat the food that is served and not sabotage your diet! Here are some general guidelines to go by. First, keep in mind that at most catered Shabbosim, as well is in most homes, you will be served a combination of good and bad foods. Your job is to choose the best from the choices available to you. Although every home serves slightly different food, use the chart below as a general guide.
Just by taking a look down the left column, and then the right, you can see that the difference between the two is dramatic. Choose from the left column whenever possible.
Second, keep in mind portion control! Even when choosing the better options, they should be eaten in moderation so as not to consume too many calories.
Third, it may be worth it to pack along snacks that help you stay away from high-calorie junk. If you are on our plan you are familiar with our TAP products that are not only healthy and nutritious, but keep you from feeling deprived.
And remember, the goal is to maintain your weight, and stay in control! Enjoy your Shabbos getaway!
Best,
Basya
Basya Kovacs is a nutrition counselor at Nutrition by Tanya, and is the manager of multiple locationsincluding the Monsey and Clifton locations. Nutrition by Tanya offers personalized and practical weight management and nutrition counseling for men, women, and children, with thirteen locations as well as a full line of food products, personal training, life coaching and even a cafe! The newest edition to the TAP product and service line is Cooking with Tanya, our beautiful full colored cookbook, available wherever Jewish books are sold. The office can be reached at 844-TANYA- DIET.