Thriving Through the Holidays: A Christmas Survival Guide

Welcome to the latest newsletter

It's the season to be jolly.?It’s that party season again!

While the season is?joyful, it?can also bring about stress, expectations, and busyness.?

So how can you have a great time without depriving yourself or putting on lots of weight?

This guide?is here to help you?not just survive, but thrive during the holidays.?It will give you?fabulous healthy and delicious choices you can make in order for you to look good and feel healthy in January

These Are the Fundamentals:

1. Do not try to diet over the festive period

Set a maintenance goal instead. This is more realistic and much more achievable. This will give you the freedom to enjoy yourself without the feelings of deprivation or the pressure to rebel

2. Normal routine tends to go out the Window

However, make sure you don’t forget about yourself and still take the time to plan your food. That way, you will still have the right choices in the house and it will be much easier for you to succeed. If you have a specific health goal. It is a shame to fail just because you don’t have the right foods to hand. This is so easy to avoid just by giving it a few minutes thought and preparation.

3. Do not go to a party hungry

If you do it will be harder to make healthy choices

4. Make good alcohol choices

Avoid creamy or sweet drinks.

5. Try and continue with your exercise programme

If your usual classes aren’t running, choose other options instead e.g., brisk walks with friends and family.

6. Be gentle with yourself

If you do happen to overindulge, do enjoy whatever you are indulging and get back on track afterwards

7. Drink plenty of water

This will encourage you not to overeat and will also improve how you feel the next day

8. Watch your portion sizes

Especially fast-releasing carbohydrates like starchy carbs and sugar

9. Have fun!

Eating out at Christmas

The long season of Christmas parties may make it seem as if healthy eating is out of the window for the month of December! However, eating out can actually be easy if you know what to pick…

Seven tips to help you out when you are eating out at Christmas

1. Fill yourself with the good stuff

Have a starter and a main course or just a main course. But not a dessert. Avoid any bread, prawn crackers or similar. In fact, it is best to ask the waiter to take these things away, thus removing the temptation. Instead ask them to bring some olives. Try and stick to one glass of good quality wine and remember to drink plenty of water.

2. Watch out for hidden sugar

When you are choosing items from the menu, watch out for hidden sugar and refined carbs in sauces, pickles and dips. For example, all Thai restaurants do very tasty fish cakes. These are better than things like spring rolls because they have more protein but other types of fish cakes may have a high potato content so be careful. Avoid sweet chili sauces which accompany many Thai dishes

3. Remember, you can order off menu

For instance, if you like the sound of the fish or chicken, but not the cream sauce, ask for it without or swap it for another method of cooking. Don’t be afraid of asking for exactly what you want

4. Always order vegetable dishes

Make sure you order plenty of vegetables and salad with your meal, and if you haven’t had enough, order more!

5. Avoid fried food

Choose food that hasn’t been deep fried. So go for non-fried egg noodle or a small portion of plain or coconut rice. Wild rice is also a good option if available. Share portions between 2 or even 3 people.

6. Japanese restaurants are great

They all offer wonderful fish dishes, from Teriyaki salmon to Sashimi, Sushi isn’t as good as it includes a lot of sweet white rice.

7. You are in charge of what goes into your mouth, not the waiter or your friends

By the time you get to the end of the main course you should feel satisfied. Most pudding need to be avoided as they will most certainly be high in saturated fat and sugar. A small portion of vanilla ice cream is OK once in a while. If you’d like an after-dinner drink, choose jasmine or peppermint tea, which is great for digestion.

TOP TIP?– Encourage the family to get out in the fresh air with you for a morning walk. It’s a great way to start the day and spend quality family time together too.

I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a very?happy healthy 2025!

As we enter 2025,?If you need any help with weight loss that is long-term and sustainable?or getting your gut health back on track or just fixing your diet, book your complimentary strategy call to get started.

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