Christmas and New Year is a time for celebration, and many of us tend to overindulge in food and alcohol at this time of year. We have put together some simple tips to help you survive the festive season.
- Don’t try to lose weight over Christmas. With parties and all the special foods that go with the holidays, it’s going to be difficult. Your goal should be to maintain your weight by eating small regular meals throughout the day. We can help you in the new year shed a few of those extra pounds.
- Avoid going to a function starving. A small snack like ½ cup of mixed nuts and dried fruit, some yoghurt or veggie sticks with hummus are quick and easy and will help to fill you up.
- If you have a tendency to over eat, work out how many savouries or sweets you’re going to limit yourself to and stick to it.
- Deep fried foods, crumbed and battered foods are all high in saturated fat. Where possible, select vegetable, nut and/or fruit options. And perhaps you can pass on the sauce as it will often have a high sugar content.
- If you are taking a plate, make sure yours is healthy. A platter of the wonderful summer fruits available or a delicious green salad with pomegranates is much more satisfying.
- Chat and mingle. If you are bored at a party you’re more likely to hover around the food table or seek out the serving platter. A good conversation will distract you from the food. Avoid standing right beside the food table or bar while you’re talking.
- Alcohol has a high calorie content. Can you dilute your drinks? Try a spritzer (½ wine, ½ soda), opt for a light beer or if you prefer spirits, sparkling mineral water or soda water with lots of lemon/lime. (not too many though as the sparkling waters are generally high in sodium)
- For every alcoholic beverage you consume make sure you drink one glass of still, ideally purified, water in between and also have a glass before you go to bed. Don’t allow someone else to replenish your glass before it is empty.
- It is important to remain active, so decide to join in the Christmas backyard cricket game, go for a stroll with some long lost relatives/friends or boogie the night away on New Year’s Eve. Remember you’re aiming for 30 minutes of physical activity each day and as always keep your water intake up at these times.
- If you do really overdo it, it is ok, take a deep breath and start fresh the following day by eating healthy and doing some form of exercise. No fasting – just sensible eating. Remember, a few parties doesn’t make you overweight, it’s what you do the other 360 days of the year. The practitioners at our clinic can help you shed a few pounds after Christmas.