Eating like a Saint this Holiday Season.
By Edith Bennett, School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition Intern
Delicious stuffed turkey, warm freshly baked cookies, chocolate galore; need I go on? Like most, your mouth is probably watering at the mere thought of holiday buffets, cocktails and family meals. Careful, adding just 200 extra calories a day can land you almost 2 pounds heavier by the end of the festive season. This is not to say, you can not indulge in the fantastic tasting treats we are all tempted with around this time of year. As always moderation is the key! Make wise choices this holiday, by following some of these simple tips.
- Plan ahead. On days when there are no festive engagements, prepare yourself a healthy meal. Because you maybe busier than usual, preparing for a dinner party, or gift shopping, consider preparing wholesome meals before and keeping some leftovers on hand in the freezer. This will make it easier for you to choose a healthy meal, over eating take out foods.
- Never leave home hungry. Going to a party ravished can lead to serious over eating. Be sure to eat regularly throughout the day, as you normally would. If you know you are going to a large feast later in the evening, try having a light lunch and a small afternoon snack, like a fruit or low fat yogurt. Same goes for shopping trips, a day at the mall can end with more cookie stops than expected, if you are tempted by the smells.
- Indulge with moderation. Scan the buffet for your favourite foods, and incorporate them all into your dish, by placing a small amount of the item on your plate. Observing what the buffet has to offer initially will help you avoid picking up foods you may not really want. Take advantage of the holiday season to enjoy some of the seasonal foods. Avoid indulging in foods that can be had all year round, such as chips, and plain chocolates.
- Be social. Once you have served yourself, remove yourself as far way as possible from the food. Standing next to a buffet table, or sitting too long at a dinning table may cause you to graze. Take this time to catch up and share funny stories with friends and family.
- Savour your meal. Take your time eating and savouring the delicious flavours of your meal. The longer it takes you to eat, the less likely you will be heading back for seconds. Eating slowly allows our body to process food, and respond to a full feeling.
- Watch the liquid calories. Often forgotten are the calories we consume through beverages. Alcoholic beverages can rack up our caloric intake unnoticed. Choose lighter versions of alcoholic beverages, sodas and juices, if you absolutely must have them. Remember to drink responsibly.
- Exercise. Regularly the first thing we abandon when our schedules get hectic is exercise, don’t let this be your case. Find a minimum of 30 minutes a day to do moderate intensity exercise. If getting to the gym is out of the picture, spend time with your family ice skating, snowshoeing, or going for a brisk walk around your neighborhood to see all the beautiful decorations.
Enjoy the holiday season! Indulge in your favourite foods with moderation, and exercise daily. Do not feel guilty if you slip off track, there are always New Years resolutions to make!
Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday!