If it were just Christmas day when we enjoyed feasting upon rich food and drink, there wouldn’t be a problem. However Christmas/New Year celebrations usually begin in early December and finish in the middle of January.
Here are a few tips to help survive the festive season:
- Aim to balance your eating and drinking with an active lifestyle
- Try not to rely on New Year’s resolutions to make up for the Christmas binge, as weight is notoriously harder to lose than to gain – take some preventative action such as the above point.
- Plan ahead – have a strategy in mind to prevent overindulgence for different situations.
- Try to limit high kilojoule foods and avoid overeating to the point of being overfull.
Some good party choices:
- Antipasto of olives, artichoke hearts, marinated vegetables (low oil).
- Vegetable sticks and light dip
- Popcorn
- Pita bread triangles with hommus or tzatziki
- Rice crackers and salsa
- Sushi
- Meat or chicken skewers (lean)
- Char grilled vegetable kebabs
- Barbecued chicken pieces, without skin
- Prawns and oysters
- Sandwiches (try to choose wholemeal or grainy breads)
- Wraps
- Steamed dim sims (in moderation)
- Rice paper rolls
- Vegetable frittata
- Mixed fruit platter
Drinks
Be aware of the kilojoule value of drinks in warmer weather. It is important to drink plenty of fluids, however often excess kilojoules can be consumed such as cordial, soft drink, flavoured mineral water and juices. Water is the best kilojoule-free drink, followed on by diet cordials, diet soft drinks and diet mineral water.
Alcohol can make you careless about what you are eating – fatty finger foods and bar snacks, not to mention greasy breakfasts. If you do drink, then go easy on the amount. Try light beer, wine and soda spritzer, ½ nip spirits and mix with diet soft drinks. Remember to drink plenty of water.
Remember even though there is usually an over abundance of food, listen to your hunger and fullness signals. You can always have it later, if you feel like it.
Christmas is a time of celebration and there is no reason why you shouldn’t be part of it. Just remember, everything is ok in moderation.
