Eat, Drink and Be Merry Without Packing On The Pounds

Christmas is a festive time and a good chance to let your hair down and catch up with family and friends. But it can also seriously set you back with any positive changes you’ve made throughout the year to living a healthier lifestyle. Here are some easy tips to help you get through this tempting holiday season:

Eat
All throughout the year, you may have been really good with eating consciously. Try to do the same during Christmas! Eat a good breakfast and lunch even if you know you’ll be going to a party in the evening. Going to a party on an empty stomach can lead to eating too much, too fast.

When you’re standing in front of the buffet table, remember that you have a lot of options. Grab a smaller plate if there are any available. Your mind will think that it’s a full plate regardless of the size. Check out all the food being offered before you start filling up your plate. Select the ones that you particularly like and get a little of each to be sure of a balanced meal.

Dividing your meal into smaller parts is also a good plan. Start out with a plate of fruits. Go around the party and catch up with a few friends while having the fruits. Then go back to the table and choose a few things for your main course. For every piece of meat that you get, balance it out with some vegetables that are as close to raw as possible. Trim any fat off the meat that you get and also remove the skin. For vegetable dishes, go easy on the butter, cream, mayonnaise, and salad dressing. Opt for dishes that are flavored with lemon, lime juice, or fresh herbs instead. Remember that digestion starts in your mouth, so chew your food slowly. You have a whole lively night ahead of you so there’s no rush to fill yourself up.

When it comes to dessert, there is no need to deprive yourself. Treat yourself to a small serving. There is usually an abundance of fruits in Christmas celebrations, so have some on the side with your dessert. This may be even more satisfying than having a huge slice of that cake or flan by itself.

Drink
So you want to have an equally delicious drink to match your scrumptious meal? Your conscious eating will be nothing if you down your food with glass after glass of soft drinks or alcohol. Instead of drinking soft drinks, have something healthier like juice, ideally fresh. If you are going to drink alcohol, alternate each glass with a glass of water to keep you hydrated and to dilute the sugary alcohol.

Be Merry
Have you ever noticed how you often get very tired after eating your big Christmas feast? The reason for this is that your body uses a tremendous amount of energy to breakdown this larger than normal meal and becomes overwhelmed and exhausted. Instead of slumping down on the sofa after your meal because you’ve overeaten, eat light to save your energy to show the people around you how much you enjoy their company by taking a nice walk with the family or playing with the kids.

I hope these tips help you make the most out of the festive season by giving you more time and energy for friends and family without sabotaging your healthy lifestyle.  Merry Christmas!