TRY as I might, I can no longer block out the signs of the impending festive season and, as the Christmas trees go up, it's time to start planning for all those social events. And yes, nutritional therapists do go to parties and have fun too!
On Christmas Day, make sure half your plate is filled with vegetables and don't pile it too high.
So how do you avoid wrecking all the healthy changes you've made in previous months? Is it possible to get through Christmas without gaining a stone in weight? And how do you manage it without looking like a party-pooper and feeling like a martyr?
As ever, the key is to plan ahead and not to be too hard on yourself. Here are some suggestions for successfully negotiating dietary pitfalls at Christmas events:
- If it's going to be a long night, start with a soft drink (preferably something not too sugary - mineral water is ideal or a lime or orange juice and soda) - tell your host, or whoever's buying that you're really thirsty and you'll have something stronger in a moment.
- With alcoholic drinks, avoid cocktails and party punches (especially if they're homemade) and don't mix your drinks if you want to avoid a sore head. A white wine spritzer or a tall vodka tonic (single measure) lasts longer and lacks the 'congeners' found in darker coloured drinks which contribute to thumping temples the next day.
- Alternate alcoholic drinks with soft drinks - a sparkling mineral water looks very much like a vodka tonic to bleary-eyed companions.
- If you're having a sit-down meal, always keep a glass of water topped up and close to your drinking hand. Put your wine glass on the other side and try to avoid other people topping it up for you so that you can keep count of the number of glasses you've had.
- If you won't be eating straight away or you're not sure whether there'll be any food at all, eat something before you go out so that you're not ravenous when the food finally appears and you're not drinking on an empty stomach. Something light, but satisfying - eg. a boiled egg, a bowl of soup, hummus & carrot sticks, cheese on toast, etc.
- Step away from the buffet! If you're standing right next to it, it's astonishing how much can slip into your mouth with you even noticing it. Take a plate, make your choices and retreat to the other side of the room. Sometimes it's hard to find 'healthy' food so don't stress about it - look for things like vegetable sticks, salad, hummus, smoked salmon, chicken drumsticks and if you want a sausage roll, have one, but just one.
- On Christmas Day, make sure half your plate is filled with vegetables and don't pile it too high - you can always go back for more and you need to leave room for pudding. Have a couple of roast potatoes and a 'pig-in-blanket' with your turkey, eat slowly and stop when you've had enough.
- Have some pudding (it is Christmas after all), but only if you want to and have a small portion (again, you can always go back for more). Stick to plain cream with it - some of those brandy butters are really sugary.
- When the chocolates come out, take one and pass them on - don't keep the box next to you (see buffet, above) - and only have one if you really like them (perhaps a big purple one with the hazelnut inside but not the penny toffee?).
- On those long lazy days when everyone sits around eating, watching films and snoozing, get outside for a walk. Wrap up warm and see if you can prise other members of the family off the sofa for a brisk, local walk, preferably without having to drive anywhere. It keeps you away from the chocolates and the booze and keeps your exercise programme going while the gym is closed.
Here's wishing you a very happy, healthy Christmas.
The advice given here is not intended to replace medical advice. Always consult your GP if you are concerned about your health.
Clare Jones, BA(Hons), Dip ION, mBANT NTC & CNHC registered
Nutritional Therapy 07985 166606.
If you would like to make an appointment for a personal nutrition consultation with Clare, please contact her on the above number or visit Clare’s website: www.clarejones-nutrition.co.uk
Follow Clare on Twitter @ClareJonesNutri and Facebook www.facebook.com/ClareJonesNutritionalTherapy
