Get ready for the festive season
Be ready for Christmas without eating unhealthy food
BELIEVE it or not, it’s that time of the year again where supermarkets are filled with Christmas decorations and chocolate hampers.
Subconsciously we have likely all waited for this time. As the holidays come close, it provides an opportunity to catch up with families and friends and host endless parties.
And food is the integral part of this festive season. So The Chronicle spoke to Toowoomba dietitian Neha Bhatia to find out just what you should and shouldn’t do these holidays.
“According to Australian Retailers Association’s research, Australians spend $8.8 billion on Christmas shopping and one can imagine how much must be going towards food and eating out,” she said.
“Well, it’s also a good time to test our confidence in mindful eating and sail smoothly with positive body image.
“A lot of us have worked very hard to shed those extra kilos in the year and would dread the thought of gaining them within a week of panic eating.”
Ms Bhatia shared her tips to be festive ready without the panic of guilty and being unhealthy.
1. Prepare in advance menus and recipes
“It is often suggested that in advance of the D-day party or several parties one will be hosting, to prepare for menus and recipes,” she said.
“Look for healthy recipes in local library books such as Heart Foundation, CSIRO and GI foundation.
“There are lots of recipes which sound and taste delicious but doesn’t carry guilt of calories.”
2. Beverage lists
After the food menus are prepared, how can we forget the beverages?
Ms Bhatia said alcohol was a main party intake for many of us but was also the biggest contributor of empty calories.
“Trying mocktails during the festive season not only adds fun but reduces the calorie/kilojoule intake,” she said.
3. Plan for mindful eating
“I often recommend to my clients to develop a mental mini-mindful eating plan for all those parties one is going to attend,” she said.
“Be it be an office Christmas party or neighbour’s barbecue invite, always remember what your limits are in terms of food selection, savour the food and not overindulge.”
4. Exercise
“Last not the least, who said we can’t exercise during festive periods,” she said.
“Fun ways to do is to host or attend a pool party. Spending time in water can lead to a good appetite while burning kilojoules at the same time.
“When hosting, add games which include light exercise, huffing and puffing.
“To be physically active during festive season always enhances motivation in self body image.”
5. Seek help
Ms Bhatia’s final tip is to always seek help if it all seems overwhelming.
“Come and visit an accredited practising dietitian or nutritionist for an individualised plan about coping during festive season, maintaining weight loss and new year goals and plans,” she said. “Stay away from Dr Google and opinions which are not evidence based.”