Tips for a Healthy Christmas

By Alana Compton

So, dare I say Christmas is already on our door step! Most of us find this time of year difficult, with the colder, shorter days, we tend to find ourselves exercising less and indulging more.

Dealing with Christmas office parties, friends and family do’s, can make this time of year particularly difficult to stay on track with your nutrition and exercise goals even for the savviest. And experience with clients over the years has shown that most will gain 4lb to 9lb over this period.

So here are my top tips to help you prevent that excess weight gain and to start your New Year already a healthier, fitter YOU Christmas is a time where friends and family gather, and give thanks, but unfortunately also tend to eat in excess. It’s ok to indulge in this special occasion, but going in with a bit of a plan can negate some of the overindulgence.

Fit in a workout: Go for an early morning run or walk or get the whole family together for a post-Christmas dinner walk.
Eat a good breakfast! Alter the tendency to skip breakfast knowing that a solid breakfast will help you avoid nibbling throughout the day or overeating a dinner due to extreme hunger. If you will be in the kitchen all day, set up a few healthy snacks for yourself before the cooking begins – a cut up apple, celery and a tub of hummus etc. Serve a veggie platter to help you reduce your intake of other less healthy hors d’oeuvres.
Suggest a buffet style: Take reasonable portions of what you like at the serving station and sit! If your family doesn’t want to break tradition, strategically keep healthy fare near you and don’t park yourself next to your weaknesses.
Watch the liquid calories: they add up fast! Make a wine spritzer to cut calories in half. Drink water between alcohol to pace yourself and stay hydrated.
Treat yourself to a small dessert: chose the pudding you really want and enjoy and savour the flavour.

Alana is a registered nutritionist with the British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy (BANT), an accredited therapist with The Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) and a master Certified Weight Loss Coach.

Contact her at www.nutrition4you.org.uk / email: alanacompton@nutrition4you.org.uk