Five tricks to get your eating back on track
WHATEVER way you celebrated the holidays this year, I can almost guarantee that it involved a lot of delicious food and in many cases an open bar.
It’s therefore unsurprising that Australians gain an average of 1–2kg over the holiday period. This weight gained is rarely lost.
However, the good news is you don’t need to go to extreme measures to undo the damage done and lose the holiday kilos.
Here are five easy ways to get yourself back on track (without missing any of the continued summer fun).
1. Detox with water, water and more water
Water plays an essential role in health and weight loss, and often hunger can be mistaken for thirst, so staying hydrated will assist in cutting overeating. It also increases metabolism and energy levels as well as keeping you from drinking high-energy and sugary drinks.
If you struggle to get water in, try infusing water with slices of fruit and vegetable such as lemon and orange, or lemon, cucumber and mint.
If you’re in the mood for something a little more tropical for summer, make some low-calorie spritzers at home. They are delicious and in moderation won’t compromise your waistline.
2. Clear out your pantry
Unsurprisingly, 25 per cent of food prepared for big holiday feasts doesn’t get eaten – and for those conscious about reducing food waste, that means that many leftovers are probably still sitting in our freezers.
To get back on track to healthy eating in no time, quickly share any holiday leftovers with family, friends, neighbours, or rescue food organisations like Foodwise.
This gives you the opportunity to load up on fresh salads with a few slices of lean protein or tinned tuna or salmon, or an egg for lunch and dinner.
3. Be prepared
Being prepared is really important in sticking to your healthy eating goals. Prepare a large container full of chopped up celery, carrot, cucumber and cherry tomatoes to keep in the fridge for healthy snacking. This will also save you time and money now that many of us are back at work.
If you’re looking to spice things up, you can make some quick and easy dips to go with your pre-prepared snacks.
4. Swap it for a smoothie
Smoothies are a great meal replacement and are packed with loads of nutrients. More than that, they are very hydrating and so are perfect for warmer weather.
Generally, smoothies contain less carbohydrate, sugar and salt and more nutrients than a standard meal – but still be careful to choose smoothies that are nutritionally balanced with high protein content and low to moderate carbs.
Some things to add include green vegies for a vitamin and fibre boost, lowercarb fruits such as blueberries and strawberries or a limited amount of higher-carb fruits such as banana and mango for extra flavour.
5. Opt for a healthier dessert
For most of us, a chocolate dessert is one of our biggest weaknesses – especially right after Christmas.
To quickly get back on track without having to deny your sweet tooth all together, try swapping regular chocolates for homemade chocolate-dipped strawberries instead.
Strawberries are still in season, so pick the biggest, juiciest ones and half coat them in dark chocolate for your choccy hit.