Whether you're currently dieting, looking to feel healthier in the new year or you're conscious about what you eat, Christmas can be a confusing time. This is particularly true if you come from a family where eating food at Christmas is considered part of your tradition.
When you don't want to be rude but you want to ensure you maintain healthy eating habits over this break, here's what you can do:
Don't skip meals to make room
You've probably heard the saying that you should skip breakfast if you're expecting to have a big Christmas lunch. But this can be damaging to the body, especially your blood sugar levels. This can make you hungrier than normal and may even make it easier to overeat. Instead, have breakfast just as you normally would. By doing this, you may not have an empty stomach to try everything on offer, but it will allow your body to better understand when it's full.
Remember, if there's something you want to try, but you're too full, you can always ask to take home leftovers.
Eat slowly
Christmas is an exciting time. So, whether you realise it or not, this excitement may cause you to eat faster, which means you're all the more likely to go back for second or third helpings. Taking 20 minutes to eat your first plate may characterise you as 'slow' compared to other family members or friends, but it will also make sure you don't feel uncomfortable in the stomach later in the day.
Remember that food is not naughty
Sure, there are foods out there that you should eat in moderation and should avoid having every day. But this is Christmas we're talking about. Just because your favourite might be deep-fried or sweet doesn't mean you shouldn't go for it. Remember, food is linked to happiness and if that food is one of your favourites, you deserve to indulge in it on this special day.
Stay Active
While it's not necessarily an eating habit, staying active during this time of year can assist you in keeping healthy and reducing bloating. Try going for a walk before or after your Christmas meals to wake up the metabolism. Getting active doesn't need to mean hours upon hours of vigorous exercise, either. A short walk is enough to make up for those few extra calories.
Offer to cook
If your diet really insists that you need to watch every calorie, then how about offering to cook or bring a dish? This way, you can still celebrate joyfully with the ones you love without feeling like you're missing out. A salad, light entree or a dessert made from a Jomeis Fine Foods Nutritional Latte are all great alternatives for catering. If your host insists you don't need to bring anything, you can also always eat before and then only nibble on some treats throughout the day.
Jomeis Fine Foods is here to help
While we may not be able to cater your Christmas meals for you, we are more than happy to make recommendations on which meals are packed with nutritional value during this time of year. Chat with a member of our team to find out more.
