Healthy Holidays

by Megan Doody, Health Mentor.

It’s that time of year. To spend time with our friends and family and celebrate the Christmas Season.

A big part of the celebration involves eating and drinking. Sometimes we are resigned to our fate – that in January we will need to work off that 5 kgs gained in December.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

With the tips and tricks that I have listed here, you will find that you can enjoy the season. Trust me – it is not inevitable that you will gain weight and feel those extra inches in your clothes.

Moderation, moderation, moderation! Limit the damage and maximise the good. One drink, one cookie, one mince pie. Depriving yourself completely does not work. Feeling deprived can lead to falling off the plan completely. Just remember moderation and move on.
When having that drink, opt for clean spirits. Beer, wine, and cocktails are high in calories and sugar and will upset the gut lining. Best mixers are natural mineral waters. So, when the boss shouts the first round, resist the temptation to have a beer or a champagne. Order a vodka and mineral or soda instead. Add fresh lemon or lime for extra flavour (it’s actually the go-to trendy drink these days!).
Before a night out, make sure you have a protein-rich meal to line the stomach and avoid snacking temptations when out. Also, prepare a protein snack for when you get home if you are still hungry. 50-70 grams of additional protein once a week will not hinder your progress. You don’t want to go into happy hour hungry or else your appetite hormones will take over and you will grab anything on the plates in front of you.
Hydration! If drinking, ensure you are having 1 glass of water per 1 alcoholic beverage. Ensure you are hitting your daily 3L water target before and after an event.
Let your close friends and family know what you are achieving with your healthy eating plan. Most people will be proud of your commitment and will support you.
Now, it’s nibbles time and the cheese platter has been brought out. This is now about changing habits. Grab your drink and do something that’s different to what you usually do. Go to a different part of the room, go to the toilet etc. The first time you break a habit it feels odd, however, revel in the fact that all ‘bad habits’ can be changed over to ‘good habits’. You just need to break the cycle.
If you are tempted to have a glass of red wine or prosecco, remember that it is very high in sugar. Especially if you have been looking after your health, you may feel the effects after drinking one or two glasses. Ideally, avoid it, however, understand that your body is not used to it and you may feel the negative effects.
Enjoy the good stuff first. That’s veggies and protein. Fill your plate with lots of vegetables and turkey or any available lean meats. This will curb the taste of biscuits, stuffing, gravy, and any other carb-heavy food. If there’s a dessert or snack you can’t live without wait until after you finished your meal. Listen to your body and if you are full you might want to resist the seconds or desserts.
And finally, the most important tip of all…have fun! Enjoy your social events guilt-free and know that you will get back on track the next day! If you can make-up for a bit of an indulgence by being extra careful on the days in between then you can go out and enjoy your social event without guilt.

If you are keen for some extra help, then consider my favourite handy items – a Carb Reducer (White Kidney Bean) and Liver Health (Milk Thistle).

Carb Reducer or White Kidney Bean is a capsule that is to be taken before meals or nibbles to reduce the absorption of the starchy carbs (bread, pasta, rice and potatoes). Just take 3 capsules half an hour before eating. A Carb Reducer will limit the effects of these types of foods. Of course, it’s best to avoid them in the first place, but we are allowed to stray sometimes!!

If you need to relieve the hangover and detox your liver at the same time? I love Liver Health (Milk Thistle) for cleansing and the removal of toxins. If you do enjoy partaking in the Christmas Spirit and would like a quick “Morning After” Drink as a pick me up, then do I have the combo for you! Let’s replace some of those missing minerals, soothe your gut, boost your magnesium, have a great healthy dose of superfoods get your blood sugar levels back into balance and get the tummy back on track with a fibre boost.

Click below to grab yourself some of these ‘Santa’s little helpers!’