Happy Healthy Holiday Tips
November 30th 2022 By Kylie Spicer, Provisional APD
It’s that time of year when your to-do list multiples – Christmas shopping, attending end-of-year functions, tying up projects at work, ferrying kids around and trying to keep the household functioning.
As a result, your non-negotiables start to become negotiable, and the catch-ups, work parties, and celebrations can lead to temptations and overindulgence.
There are many ways to survive the holiday season without losing track of your health goals. Here are 10 tips for maintaining your health goals while enjoying the season.
- Plan your holidays – by creating a list of the events you have on and the times you are eating out, you can meet your challenges armed with a plan. This can include scheduling your exercise routine around your events, eating to meet your health goals before, during and after your events, and having snacks for when you are out and about ticking off your to-do list.
- Don’t go with an empty tank – Before going shopping, or heading out to a party, eat something healthy so that you don’t arrive hungry, leading to over-eating. Excellent snacks combine a low GI complex carbohydrate with protein and/or unsaturated fat, e.g. seeded crackers and low-fat cheese, apple slices and peanut butter or sliced turkey on wholegrain bread.
- Maintain your distance – When you are at a party, don’t stand next to the food table. People who stay closer to the food are more likely to graze mindlessly.
- Outsmart the buffet – when faced with a spread of delicious holiday food, make healthy choices easier by using a small plate and half-filling it with vegetable-based dishes before adding other foods.
- Fit in favourites – There is no food that is on the naughty list. Choose the dishes you really love and can’t get at any other time of the year. Be mindful when you are eating these foods by slowing down and savouring a small serving.
- Be mindful with your eating – Listen to your stomach by eating slowly and stopping when you are satisfied (not full). Eating from a smaller plate and allowing at least 10 minutes before you refill it can reduce the likelihood of overeating.
- Watch your drinks – start with a glass of still or sparkling water. If you are going to have alcoholic drinks, have a glass of water in between. Also, avoid drinking alcohol on an empty stomach, as it increases your appetite and reduces your ability to control what you eat.
- Have some family fun – With so much on your plate at this time of year, physical activity can be pushed aside. But being active can be your secret holiday weapon; it can help make up for eating more than usual and can help to reduce stress. Find ways to have fun away from the table. Consider backyard cricket, dancing, and going for a walk after your meal.
- Get your sleep – Going out and staying out later can often find us cutting back on sleep. However, when you are sleep deprived, you’ll tend to eat more and prefer high-fat, high-sugar foods. Aim for 7-8 hours per night to protect you from mindless eating of less than nutritious food.
- Pay attention to what really matters – while food is a big part of Christmas and the holidays, focus on the family, friends, laughter and cheer.
From all of us at Bright Diets, we wish you a beautiful Christmas and New Year!