Eat, drink, be merry – and maintain healthy lifestyle
rits are still hopeful that the festive season will be the perfect antidote to 2020, finally providing a reason to celebrate – even if things will be a little different.
A survey commissioned by The 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan, revealed that more than half of Brits say they’re looking forward to Christmas celebrations, despite the regulations. But the study does show attitudes towards indulging this Christmas are divided.
This year is expected to be less about ‘seasons eatings’ with one in 10 Brits saying they’ll be monitoring their diet and alcohol intake more closely this year, after realising obesity may lead to more susceptibility to illness including COVID-19.
Here are five reasons why Brits find the Christmas period a difficult time when it comes to maintaining a healthy weight ...
Additional food in the house (63 per cent)
Comfort eating (43 per cent)
Consuming more alcohol (36 per cent)
Lack of exercise/ability to get outdoors due to the weather (32 per cent)
Christmas parties and celebrations (29 per cent)
Sticking to a healthy lifestyle doesn’t need to be as difficult as people may think.
Mark Gilbert, nutritionist at The 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan, has shared some expert tips to ensure you don’t over-indulge this Christmas, while still allowing yourself to celebrate and feel fulfilled.
BSet yourself a strategy
Pick three or four occasions over the celebration in which you will allow yourself to indulge, and make it ‘time limited’.
For instance, when it comes to Christmas dinner, give yourself an hour in which you can give yourself freedom to eat what you like. That way, the indulgence doesn’t continue for the full day.
Eat consciously
This goes hand in hand with the first tip. When you are having your one hour (or whatever timeframe) of food freedom, eat slowly, chew,
You can overindulge on food but remember to work off excess carbs think about the food you are eating, and drink some water or other calorie-free beverage. This way, you’ll get just as much enjoyment from the taste, textures and smells of the food but you’ll give your body a chance to signal that it is full and satisfied before you’ve eaten way too much.
Alcohol hacks
If it’s an important aspect of your Christmas celebration, then it’s important to keep in mind two considerations – the alcohol you choose and when you consume it. Spirits are the best choice, alongside calorie-free mixers (about 100 calories per 1.5 oz/42 ml shot). The next best choice is a small glass of dry red or white wine (about 120 calories), but avoid beer and sugar-sweetened mixers, as these can take the calories to more than 200.
The other thing to consider with alcohol is that it removes your inhibitions, and your ‘strategy’ can go out the window.
Balance out your diet with exercise
Certain types of intense workouts can minimise the consequences of eating too much. The great thing about this strategy is that it only takes 10 to 20 minutes to do. As your body can store at least 1,000 calories of carbohydrates (as glycogen) within your muscles, if you burn off that glycogen, you’ll create a reservoir that is ready to suck up most of the excess carbs you eat during your hourlong indulgence.
If you get on an exercise bike, or rowing machine and go ‘all out’ for 30 seconds, with two or three minutes rest and then repeat three or four times, you’ll have burned off much of those carbs. High-repetition weight training can have the same effect.