Over the festive season, slimmers enter a ‘danger zone’. It's the time of year when temptations are everywhere.
Even if you don’t celebrate Christmas or New Year, everywhere you go – to the shops, to work, to school events or to an office party – all the nice ‘goodies’ associated with the festive season are all around you and seem to shout ‘EAT ME!’
You can’t hide till it’s over, so what can you do?
- To avoid weight gain, it's important to be selective. Trying a little of everything is dangerous. It's better to simply satisfy yourself with a few of your favourites than to add all those extra unwanted calories.
- Do not skip meals, especially breakfast. It slows your metabolism and you are more likely to binge.
- Drink plenty of water as it fills you up and increases your metabolic rate.
- Consider keeping a food diary. If you know you have to write everything down, you are less likely to nibble.
- If you do overindulge, don’t give up. Continue on your eating plan and it will most likely correct itself before the next weigh day.
- Don’t go to a party hungry as you are more likely to nibble. Remember that starters are more fattening than your main meal, so be selective!
- Limit your alcohol intake as it contains empty calories and it lowers your inhibitions, making you more likely to binge.
- Focus on socialising – if you're talking, you won’t have much time for eating. Give yourself one trip to the buffet table and stand as far away from it as possible. Talk more and eat less!
- Practise saying “no thank you” in an assertive, but polite manner. For example: “Thank you for an enjoyable meal … but I am full.”
Hints and tips
Unfortunately, not everyone holds functions/parties with health/weight in mind, so here are a few tips on what to choose or rather to avoid:
Choose | Avoid |
Tossed garden salad | Crackers and cheese |
Fresh fruit platter | Nuts |
Fresh or grilled seafood | Dips and paté |
Vegetable platter with low-fat cheese | Chips, fatty cold meats |
Turkey, white meat | Fried/deep-fried foods |
Lean leg ham | Cream, cheese sauces |
Smoked salmon | Pastry pies |
Skinless grilled chicken | Sausages |
Potatoes, baked in jacket (no cream) | Fried rice |
Rice, steamed or boiled | Gravy |
Mustard | Hot chips |
Most breads and rolls, small | Garlic herb bread, butter & margarine |
Strawberries, melons, fruit compote | Fruit mince pies, pastries, creams, gateaux |
Frozen fruit ices, sorbet, ice confections | Cheese cakes, cakes |
Tomato juice, water (plain/mineral/soda) | Regular soft drinks |
Wine diluted 50% with soda water | Full-strength wine/beer |
Low-alcohol beer, tea, coffee | No cream or sugar |
(Information provided by Weigh-Less)