The lead up to Christmas and New Years are always packed with events, all centred on and around food and socialising. Consequently, eating well and sticking to health goals can be challenging.
So check out some tips to a healthier festive season:
Tip #1: Limit your red meat intake and processed foods in favour of a fish, chicken, turkey or plant-based dish.
Tip #2: Use olive oil, rapeseed oil or sunflower oil in your cooking.
For example use these oils to prepare roast potatoes instead of butter, lard or goose fat.
Use a good non-stick roasting trays so less oil can be used.
Tip #3: For the starter ~Avoid or share.
Fried foods are more calorific so choose an unfried starter. It's best to base your starters on more vegetables and salads.
For example: cucumbers topped with avocado and marinated prawns, veg sticks and hummus, unfried chicken wings, buffalo mozzarella with roasted tomatoes, vegetable soup, olives, sushi, grilled stuffed portabello mushroom
Tip #4: For the main ~ Serve yourself a plate dominated by veg or salad.
Aim to portion your plate with half a plate of vegetables or salad, a quarter plate of protein and fill up the last quarter of your plate with carbohydrates.
Keeping the veg/ salad simple by not dressing it up with creamy sauces or butter.
Choosing a lean unprocessed protein, for example a fillet of fish, chicken, turkey or pulses.
If available, preferably accompanying your meal with a fibre containing carbohydrate like brown rice /brown pasta/quinoa/new potatoes/buckwheat
Tip #5: For the dessert ~ Avoid or share.
If you do fancy a dessert, try a small portion of a fruit based dessert.
For example: apple crumble, fruit salad, fruit tart, stewed fruit.
If you making dessert at home to go with a crumble, make a custard with skimmed milk and reduced sugars (using fruit or sweeteners instead of sugar). Swop heavy or whipped cream for a fat free yoghurt / fromage frais.
Tip #6: Alcohol: It's helpful on the waist to choose sugar-free mixers instead of the original mixers which are high in sugar and calories.
It's important to stay within the guidelines of 14 units a week for men or women. Try to have a few alcohol free days within your festive week ( give your liver a rest!).
Remember, a can of beer or large glass of wine carry enough calories to count as one snack. So be mindful on the quantity consumed, especially if you watching your weight!
Tip #7: Scale back. This could be having a lighter meal in the evening especially if you had a large lunch with friends or family.
For example: soup, salad or sandwich (choosing a lean protein filler and scaling back on mayonnaise/cheese/ margarine in your sandwich).
Tip #8: A walk after meals helps with digestion and improves blood sugar control. So get your friends or family walking with you and make it into a social stroll after a meal.
Tip #9: ENJOY! It is important for our mental health to go out and enjoy ourselves with family and friends. If you feel you may have over did it at a social event then look to balance your next day with healthier meals. Getting back on track helps.
So here you go, just a few tips to help in some way during the festive season. Every little change helps keep unwanted calories away.
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