Tips to Survive the Christmas Feast-Part Two

Foods to Choose	Foods to Avoid
Oven baked pita chips	Corn Chips
Vegetable sticks for dipping	Chips
Baguettes, focaccia or bread or bread rolls	Garlic bread, high-fat crackers
Small pieces of your favourite cheese	Large quantities of cheese
Open sandwiches, kebabs, fresh seafood	Deep fried savouries, quiches, cheerios, salami
Pretzels, rice crackers, rice nibbles	Salted Nuts
Fruit Cake	Mince pies, short bread
Fruit salad and a slither of the best dessert available	Large pieces of cheesecake, mud cake, caramel tarts or cream

Humus and Salsas

Full Fat Dips



Tips to Survive the Christmas Feast- Part One

Christmas is a time for celebration, spending time with friends and family and enjoying festive foods and drinks.  Nutrition-wise, this festive fare can be a challenge.

Here are some simple tips to help you survive the festivities:

Don’t try to lose weight over the festive season. With parties, families and all the special foods that go with Christmas, it’s going to be just about impossible! Your main aim should be to maintain your weight (using some of the tips below!)

 

Eat regular meals. If you skip meals you are more likely to fill up on high fat snacks. It only takes a few of these snacks to add up to more calories than your usual meal.

 

Avoid going to a function hungry, you can easily eat a lot of party food in a short time. Have a small snack beforehand like a bowl of cereal, yoghurt or a sandwich are quick and will help fill you up. It will also help if you are well hydrated, so try drinking a few glasses of water before you arrive.

 

 

Deep fried foods, crumbed and battered foods and cheese platter are all high in fat. Choose fruit and vegetable based snacks.
      

If you are hosting the party, offer your guests a range of healthy snacks. Always popular are hummus or salsa dips with vegetable sticks.

      
If you are taking a plate, make yours a healthy option. How about a platter of fruit currently in season?


 
 
Just say ‘No” to food – mentally practice strategies to decline food offers. For example: “It looks amazing but I am full” or “I tried it and it was great”.     

 
Listen to your body and stop eating when you feel full.

      
 

Chat and mingle. If you are bored at a party you’re more likely to hover around the food table or seek out the serving platter. A good conversation can distract you from the food. Avoid standing right beside the food table or bar while you’re talking.
      

 

 
Consider your drinks, they can add to the calorie count very quickly. Try diluting your alcoholic drinks, such as a spritzer (½ wine, ½ soda). If you prefer spirits, try a diet mixer. Lite beers are lower in calories and alcohol. Remember soft drinks, juices, punches, tonic water and flavoured mineral water can all have similar calories to alcoholic drinks.
      

 
 
Be aware of how much you are actually drinking. Alternate alcoholic drinks with glasses of water and non-alcoholic choices.


      
 
Keep Active. Remember you're aiming for 30 minutes of physical activity each day.
    

If you do really overdo the festive foods or drinks, take a deep breath and start the next day afresh with healthy foods and some exercise. No fasting - just sensible eating. Remember, a few parties don’t make you overweight, it’s what you do all the other days of the year which count.