Christmas Cheer - not Christmas Kilos!!

The festive season each year brings with it much fun and much feasting! Food is high on the agenda when it comes to planning Christmas celebrations. Over-indulgence, both with what we eat and how much we drink , seems to be the order of the day. How can you avoid the 'Christmas kilos' that seem to deposit themselves on your waistline with all this festive fun?

Here are a few hints to help you avoid those unwanted extra kilos :

• Just aim to maintain your weight over this festive time - don't make yourself feel deprived by trying to avoid all the Christmas 'goodies' - they are part of the fun. Just be selective and choose a little of the things you really enjoy.
• It is easier to make healthier food choices if you are not absolutely starving - so have a healthy snack at home before you head off to the next party!
• Avoid standing right next to the food at a party. It is a sure way to tempt yourself into that next 'extra' Christmas nibble.
• Balance up the 'extras' with exercise. Try a walk, swim, or bike ride the next day if you feel you may have over-indulged.
• Entertaining at home? – Try offering some healthier, lower fat alternatives eg pretzels, rice crackers, pita chips; salsa and other low fat dips; vegetable sticks as well as crackers with dips; fruit platters filled with the succulent summer fruits;
• Drinks can add lots of kilojoules – try diluting them eg spritzer – ½ wine + ½ soda; mix spirits with a diet soft drink or soda. Remember, soft drinks, fruit juices, flavoured mineral water and fruit punch all contribute extra kilojoules. Jugs of iced water are a welcome offering on a hot summer’s day !
• For Christmas dinner serve some lean but tasty food options :
  Eg
  • the new super-lean hams and lots of fresh salads
  • fresh or barbequed seafood – with a fruit salsa (eg mango);
  • turkey ( roasted after removing fat and skin at the rear, and stuffed with a combination of steamed rice, a few brandy-soaked dried apricots and some toasted pinenuts.)
• If there is a wide array of food available it helps to fill up on the low fat, carbohydrate foods first (eg breads; rice; pasta; salads and vegetables). Then choose smaller servings of the higher fat food choices.
• Encourage your guests to take the “leftovers” home, or if the foods are suitable store them in the freezer.
• Plan some low key but fun activities – eg a family cricket game; volleyball in the swimming pool; bocci or croquet in the garden; go for a stroll or a bike ride.

If you really do overdo it – Take a deep breath and start the next day afresh with a ‘good health day’. Fill this day with lots of healthy foods, water and some exercise.

Remember, a few parties don’t make you overweight– it’s what you do the other 360 days of the year that matters. So enjoy this festive season – just try and keep a little balance with your health and weight!

- ENDS -

For Further Information and Story Opportunities Contact:

Aloysa Hourigan
Senior Nutritionist
Mobile: 0417 078 956
Nutrition Australia (Qld.)
Phone: 07-3257 4393
Fax: 07-3257 4616
Email: qld@NutritionAustralia.org

Lucinda Dobson
Executive Officer
Nutrition Australia (Vic.)
Phone/Fax: 03 - 9528 2453
Email: vic@nutritionaustralia.org

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Last updated on December 24, 2003 .