Healthy Eating Tips

The festive season is finally here! Family get-togethers, lots of foods and so much fun. There is temptation all over and the unending parties and activities are bound to last for more than just one day. This is the time to have amazing fun with family and friends and most importantly, amazing experiences with food! Contrary to typical perceptions, you can enjoy both of them properly without necessarily compromising on your weight and health. How? Start with these 5 healthy holiday eating tips from our dietetics experts here at LiveWell Rehab.

1. DO NOT SKIP MEALS

Healthy eating is a severely dreaded mention particularly during the festive season. For most individuals trying to maintain a healthy eating plan during holidays, skipping meals is a popular way to do this. Don’t be misinformed! Skipping meals such as breakfast to keep your belly empty for evening or lunch meals is overrated and simply unhealthy. It’s a common cause of slow metabolism and worse of all, over indulgence in food. Rather than skipping meals, take a healthy light meal for breakfast or lunch so that you do not overeat during the rest of the day.

2. EAT WHAT YOU LOVE BUT IN CONSIDERABLE AMOUNTS:

Now that festivities are here, it’s common for most of us to dive in and sample everything available. Nonetheless, as a healthy tip for your holiday, make amends and adapt a choosy habit. Shift your attention to the foods that excite your appetite and feed your soul and skip those that you resent. We also recommend starting with a plate of veges so you don’t go crazy on the foods you should be eating less of. Moreover, don’t just eat it because it’s the festive season, if it doesn’t excite you, don’t try it.

3. SAVOUR EVERY SINGLE BITE

I bet you are not aware of this but the brain takes a whooping 20 minutes to get that signal that your belly is full which reiterates the importance of slow eating and small breaks in between meals. Yes, there is the excitement of the mouth-watering buffets, the chicken wings and oh my, the turkey servings; but on a serious note, take it slow with each bite. When you savour each bite, it’s highly likely that you will stop when you are full.

4. ENJOY THE DESSERT, BUT DON’T GO OVERBOARD

Nothing can compare to the wows and oohs that escape your mouth on the sight of a wonderful masterpiece dessert. There will be an endless display of amazing cakes, cookies and ice-cream assortments at almost each gathering. No one disputes dessert being amazing; but even if you cannot get your eyes off of it, control yourself! Take small samples and preferably the ones with less calories and sugar.

5. FINALLY, BE CAREFUL WITH BEVERAGES, LIMIT YOUR ALCOHOL

Drinking alcohol to boost your spirits and add a fun touch to your festivities is understandable, and obviously allowable, but over-consumption is  not healthy for your holiday. Why? Numerous health and mental repercussions, at times even physical ones. The gravest diet peril with alcohol consumption is not simply about the amount of calories you take in, it goes beyond that! With higher alcohol intake, your inhibition lowers and as you would imagine so does you food choice capacity deteriorate. Aside from that, it can also interfere with body metabolism particularly during digestion leading your body to storing more fat.

“To maintain a healthy holiday eating routine and avoid post-festive regrets, the best tip is to take a sip, savour and finally switch it up to water.”

With all that in mind, map out your holiday plan, remain active and have maximum fun with your family. When you feel like over-indulging, don’t quickly rush for that piece of chocolate to come to your rescue, savour your bite, take it slow with the drinks and enjoy your time with your friends and families. Do not forget why the holidays are here, not to get drunk and pass out, not to indulge in every sort of food you have been craving all year, but to eat healthy and have a wonderful time with your close ones.