Winning! Avoiding temptation and eating sensibly this holiday season

It’s the holidays – full of fun, festivities, fetes, fanciful feasts and…

…phew, they sure can be tiring days. How do you get through the holiday season as a mum and still retain your glow of good health? After all, you’ve worked so hard during the year to keep yourself fit and nutritious. No need to ruin that now…

Here are tips for busy mums at the holiday to get through your avalanche of commitments and come out on top, health-wise:

Dressing for a ‘do? Skip the loose duds:

While kaftans may be trendy this year, wearing such a flowy garment to a party may not be in your best interest. Don’t give yourself the excuse that you can over-eat because you’re wearing baggy clothes. Wear a waisted garment, or add a belt. Not only is this a chic, pulled-together look – but it’s also a great way of reminding yourself when enough is enough!

Go easy on the cocktails:

Watch your alcohol that you consume at parties – but even more so, the food you eat with it. Food that is consumed with alcohol is easily stored as fat. So when you tipple, try and avoid high calorie foods – think fried, breaded or rich with gooey cheese. Also, keep in mind that alcohol increases your appetite, so you’re likely to munch more.

Photo source: ambernambrose via Flickr Creative Commons

Do the maths:

It’s elementary, my dear Watson! Smart eating is about numbers. Remember, for weight management, energy in (food) should be less than energy out (exercise). So it’s a simple equation: you MUST exercise on a party day to ensure this occurs. That’s right, no skipping the gym or beach walk – in fact, that bit of sweating is more necessary than ever! And grab a friend to make it twice as fun.

Photo source: mikebaird via Flickr/Creative Commons

Learn more about great nutrition this holiday at www.facebook.com.scdietetics

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92 Comments

- - mom81879 said
  - 16 Nov 2015
    5:04 pm
I hardly ever eat out. I eat sensibly for most of the year so I think that entitles me to some splurge moments, such as family celebrations and dining out

- - hmp88 said
  - 28 Aug 2015
    5:21 pm
I find it so hard to stay focused without calorie counting :/

- - Kell said
  - 21 Jun 2015
    10:57 am
After a few cocktails its hard to do Math

- - mom74959 said
  - 30 Apr 2015
    1:23 am
Some good little ideas, so easy to over-indulge.

- - mom109463 said
  - 08 Dec 2014
    2:25 pm
Great article, lots of sensible advice however I find this goes out the window when I am tempted by all the treats that come out at the festive season, I find that I am exhausted most of the time anyway so this exercise thing is out of the question, I think we all know the theory but it is very hard to put it in to practice, but this may keep things at the front of my mind when I am next tempted by naughty things.

- - sarny84 said
  - 02 Dec 2014
    10:43 am
Thanks for the tips. It’s hard when there’s so much yummy food around though.

- - mom93821 said
  - 03 Nov 2014
    8:01 am
Thanks for sharing this interesting article; the pants tip made me laugh!

- - skbou said
  - 19 Aug 2014
    5:33 pm
Nibblies are definitely hard for me, I keep thinking I’m only ‘having a few’ then before I know it the entire platter is gone & there’s only 4 or 6 of us. Sigh.

- - christial said
  - 31 May 2014
    4:12 pm
I remember I used to put my belt on tighter just to remind myself not to over eat!

- - no1ladydj said
  - 30 May 2014
    6:54 pm
Alcohol and “nibblies” (nuts, chips, dips, hors d’oeuvres, etc) can be the real killers at Christmas parties and family gatherings. Before you know it, you ingested double your calorie intake for the day, and you haven’t got to main course, never mind dessert.
- ginoula5 replied
  
  24 Aug 2014 , 4:44 pm
  So very true, and I love the nibblies, crackers and dips, don’t even want to think how many calories I add haha
- - catgrrl3 said
  - 22 May 2014
    7:04 pm
I love the dont dress loose, I can see how this would work to my advantage, not allowing myself to eat too much

- - rachaelchara said
  - 10 May 2014
    8:04 pm
Good ideas and nice to see they are from a reliable source.

- - Happymum said
  - 08 May 2014
    3:16 pm
when it is called silly season, I think it is ok to let go

- - scottie said
  - 05 May 2014
    9:49 pm
I try to keep to one drink and sip it most of the night

- - shazzbot said
  - 30 Apr 2014
    2:18 pm
Some great ideas, thanks for sharing them.