10 steps to enjoy a healthier Christmas
Want to make merry this festive season without piling on the kilos? Here’s how to enjoy a healthy Christmas amid all the good cheer.
On the 12th day of Christmas
My party-hopping gave to me
A hangover and a swollen belly …
Sound like you? You’re definitely not alone.
A 2019 Shape of Australia survey found 40 per cent of those surveyed put on weight over Christmas, with an average weight gain of almost 3kg.
Those statistics possibly don’t come as a huge surprise – the festive season is awash with end-of-year parties, Christmas soirees and lunches with friends and family.
“People often have the ‘all or nothing’ attitude during this time of year, but if you can just avoid thinking like that, you’ll be winning,” TXO Life founder and celebrity trainer Tiffiny Hall says.
“A simple mindset shift from instant gratification to long-term satisfaction means you’ll still have fun during the silly season but not compromise all your hard work and results.
“You’ll have more energy to be the life of the party and you’ll be so proud of yourself come summer – you really will feel like a whole different person.”
Here, Tiffiny and other wellness experts share 10 ways you can eat, drink and be merry without ending up with Santa’s waistline.
1. Embrace the three Ps
That means having a pre-party plan, Tiffiny explains.
“The biggest mistake you can make is rocking up to a party, tummy rumbling and eyes too big for your belly,” Tiffiny says.
“Eat a healthy, satisfying meal before you go out, instead of going nuts on the finger food.”
And if you know you have a big event coming up, bookend it with a few days of healthy eating and exercise.
2. Play food favourites
What would Christmas be without that buffet of delicious food?
Just because you are trying to stay in shape doesn’t mean it has to be slim pickings, though.
Tiffiny advocates making smarter choices for a healthy Christmas.
“Fill your plate with proteins and salads rather than the more carby stuff like potatoes or bread,” she says.
“The key is to play favourites at Christmas lunch so you don’t end up feeling like the turkey: stuffed!”
3. Use your senses
Standing around at a function, chatting with friends and grazing on platters, is often a fast track to overeating.
Food writer Flip Shelton says when we’re standing, “we are less likely to feel full as our stomach is not compressed as it is in a sitting position”.
To counter this, and to stop yourself mindlessly eating, aim to be more aware of the food you’re consuming.
“When eating any food at a party, use all your senses to enjoy it,” Flip says.
“Look at it, smell the food, feel the food in your mouth and talk about the food to register that you have eaten it.”
4. Go for a light brekky
NRL legend and MiniFit founder Anthony Minichiello tip for a healthy Christmas is a lighter breakfast – especially on days when he has a big lunch or dinner on the calendar.
“You don’t need to overeat at every meal through the festive season,” Anthony notes.
- Healthy start: Why breakfast salads are a good idea
5. Pick fruit
Between the chocolate advent calendars, the gingerbread and the candy canes, it is not just the adults who overdo it over the silly season.
Flip suggests getting the kids involved in making a healthy Christmas platter to fill their tummies with something other than sugary treats.
“Think strawberries, cherries, watermelon, mango, grapes, pineapple,” Flip says.
“A fabulous fruit platter looks wonderful in the centre of a table, and fruits are full of fibre to fill hungry tummies.”
6. Skip the bread
Talking of platters, who doesn’t love a good dollop of hummus or a generous spread of taramasalata?
Flip says opting for vegetable sticks rather than chunks of bread or salty crackers allows you to enjoy those delicious dips without the side helping of guilt.
- Festive favourites: Which Christmas foods make the health grade?
7. Catch some Zs
When it comes to overeating, Flip says burning the candle at both ends can lead to poor decision-making.
She recommends getting a good night’s rest because “it’s easy to overconsume when tired and not thinking clearly”.
8. Keep up the exercise
It might be a busy time of year, but making time for your exercise regimen will help regulate your appetite and suppress cravings, Tiffiny says.
“Exercise regulates your hormones and your appetite, and it’ll help stop you craving sugar all the time,” she explains.
9. Commit to driving
Flip says volunteering to be the designated driver for an event is a good way to have a healthy Christmas and make sure you stay off the booze – and do something nice for family, friends or colleagues in the process!
- Spread joy: How to make a positive difference at Christmas
10. Choose when to booze
A lot of people do not realise that alcoholic drinks are filled with empty calories.
In fact, drinking four cans of premixed spirits is the same as eating 21 chicken nuggets, according to LiveLighter.
Just because your fridge magnets are weighed down with party invitations doesn’t mean you need to drink alcohol at every single event.
Tiffiny’s advice is to “pick your party battles”.
“Decide which will be boozy, which won’t be, mark it on the invite and stick to the plan,” Tiffiny says.
Written by Siobhan Duck.
