In anticipation of summer, you’ve been eating well and exercising (most days) and you’re finally feeling body confident and ready to hit the beach in your bikini. But come the festive period, even the most disciplined people struggle with the temptations of too much good food and drink – often resulting in unwanted weight gain by the time January rolls round.
With that in mind, we’ve come up with a practical strategy to help ensure you enjoy the festive season without compromising your healthy eating plan.
Here are our top tips:
- If you’re counting calories, one important meal aspect you need to watch are trimmings and toppings. Nuts, cheese, creamy sauces, gravy and butter are all additions you can do without. And yes, your meal will still be delicious!
- It might sound silly, but avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing if you’re off for lunch or dinner. Rather opt for something tight-fitting, this way you’ll be more conscious about keeping your stomach in, and less tempted to overdo it at the buffet table.
- When you don’t want to eat, pop a piece of sugar-free chewing gum in your mouth. This works well when you’re trying not to dive into the buffet (again) or when you’re cooking.
- As a general rule of thumb; if you don’t love it, don’t eat it! Stick to the foods you really enjoy and don’t often see at a buffet. Remember, you can have sausage rolls and pastries any day of the week! You don’t need to eat everything just because it’s there or free.
- Always eat normally on the day of a party. Don’t fall into the trap of missing a meal to “’save” calories, as this often just leads to overeating later on in day.
- When you first arrive at a party wait at least 30 minutes before eating, this gives you time to relax, and think about what you want to eat before diving in.
- Start by choosing only two items to put on your plate at a time. Each time you go back, stick to the two item rule and put a limit as to how many times you’re going to go back for more.
- Alternate alcoholic drinks with a glass of sparkling water with a twist of lemon. It will keep you hydrated, fill you up and reduce your intake of high-calorie alcohol.
- If there’s an opportunity to dance, then go for it! It will help work off the food and drinks.
So you see, there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy every moment of the holiday season, it’s just about moderation. Party on!