1. There will always be a health (ier) option Look past the table full of salty snacks, pavlova and Christmas lollies and you’ll find a range of lean meats, seafood, salads and fresh fruit. Now all you need is a little portion control and you’re set for a healthy Christmas Day feast.
2. Treat yourself, don’t stuff yourself Nope – we’re not going to tell you to put down the treats. But keep in mind that you don’t need to force down that extra serve of dessert or handful of chips in the same of social festivity. Stuffing yourself with more food than you usually consume will leave you lethargic and low on motivation. It’s all about finding the balance between treating yourself and binging.
3. Go easy on the drinks Christmas parties, alcohol and soft drinks are a dangerous mix – especially for your waistline. Keep hydrated (yes, with water) and try to space out your refills with a glass or two of water in between.
4. Maintain your exercise routine Whether you have guests or are heading away for Christmas, an exercise routine can be difficult to maintain – but overindulgence isn’t just what you put in your mouth. Lazing about over the Christmas period can have damaging consequences, so make sure you’re making a conscious effort to get your usual amount of exercise in each day.
5. Eat before you party You may not be sitting and feasting, but even an invitation to Christmas drinks can make it hard to pass on the canapés – and you’d be surprised at how quickly they add up. Before you head out to party, make sure you’ve had a wholesome snack to keep you full and fuelled – think vegetable soup, toast and peanut butter or banana and a handful of almonds.
6. Freeze your leftovers As tempting as it is to leave your pile of Christmas leftovers in the fridge to snack on over the proceeding few days, why not freeze them? That way, you can consume everything fresh – e.g. leftover salad and seafood – while extending the life of others – e.g. lasagne and pudding.
