LIFESTYLE NEWS - December is here, bringing with it holidays, precious moments to spend with our families and delicious meals.
If you have remained focused on your goal weight during the course of the year, don’t let the traditional, Christmas temptations thwart a year of consistently pursuing good health.
It’s easy to let your guard down when faced with delicious rich gravies, roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, sweet cranberry sauces and those delectable trifles.
This does not mean that there is no fun to be had as there are lots of alternatives that are just as tasty and in keeping with traditional fare.
“Simply apply sound nutritional principles,” advises Mary Holroyd, founder and chairman of Weigh–Less. “Let them guide you through the pitfalls that face us during the season that is generally associated with excess and gluttony!”
Being on holiday generally means more time on your hands.
Use this time effectively and take advantage of the fantastic summer climate by spending time outdoors, participate in healthy activities that will maintain your exercise levels and burn off any kilojoules that may have snuck past your best defences, advises Holroyd.
Planning menus in advance will ensure that you have all the necessary ingredients to produce options that fit into healthy eating plans.
Heidi Lobel, Weigh-Less dietician has recommended the following tips to help you maintain your goals:
- It’s all about choice! Prepare your meals with healthy ingredients and load up your fridge and pantry with low GI and low-fat options. This will ensure that you enjoy meals with the same great taste, but with fewer kilojoules.
- Carefully manage your portion sizes. Don’t pick whilst cooking, or have second helpings at meal times.
- Never attend a function or family gathering feeling ravenous. You may be tempted to overindulge in poor food choices. Snack on fruit, lean biltong or low-fat yoghurt before you arrive.
- Combine low-fat proteins with your low GI carbohydrates. This will help you feel fuller, for longer, and it can go a long way towards maximising weight loss.
- Don’t expect to be perfect. If you overindulge at a specific meal, get straight back to following your healthy eating plan. Don’t let one moment of weakness ruin all of your progress.
Source: Weigh-Less
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