The holiday season is synonymous with joy, festivities, and, of course, parties. From Christmas celebrations to New Year’s Eve bashes, these gatherings often come with tempting indulgences that can challenge even the most disciplined people. However, with a bit of mindful and strategic planning, you can revel in the holiday cheer without compromising your health and fitness goals. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you make smarter choices during this festive period.
Hydrate Strategically:
This has to be the go to action for all night outs and not just through the holiday season. Staying well hydrated helps in not just regulating the effects of alcohol in your system but also keeps your body better nourished. So begin your party preparations by ensuring you are well-hydrated. Drink water throughout the day and consider alternating alcoholic beverages with water at the party. Staying hydrated not only supports overall health but can also prevent excessive alcohol consumption.
Mindful Eating:
Now this is purely about self-control. In a social setting it is very easy to get carried away with a good combination of Chips and dip. So the first step would be to survey the feast, and get yourself a plate rather than going ham on the community bowl of chips. Serving yourself the snacks on a plate helps you track your intake visually rather than finding out you have eaten too much once you feel stuffed. Lastly one thing to remember is that the snacks are just the snacks and not the meal.
Healthy Holiday Swaps:
Seek out healthier alternatives to traditional holiday snacks. Choose vegetable crudites with hummus over calorie-laden dips. Another great way to consume a lot less calories is by choosing snacks that a grilled or roasted over those that are fried. Just to give you an example, a portion of chicken that is 100 calories, will go up to 160 calories once fried. This ratio of increase in calories is even higher for vegetarian snacks, as vegetables are less calory dense but soak up more fat than meats when fried as well as lose more nutrients in the process.
Strategic Seating:
Yes we know that this may be seen as going too far and who really cares so much about eating right that they would need to be seated away from the food, but being close to food does make us want it more. How many times have you just snacked away when socialising or partying even though you weren’t hungry? Many many times right? That’s because we are conditioned to eat food at a table all our lives, and seeing it laid on the table triggers us to go ahead and have our meal. So that seating position could play a big role in making better decisions.
Prioritize Protein:
Include protein-rich foods in your holiday party plate. Protein and Carbs contain the same amount of calories per gram (4 Calories per gram). But our body digests protein at a much slower pace than carbs, hence Protein helps you feel full, reducing the likelihood of overeating on less nutritious options.
Stay Active:
Dance! Move as much as you can this holiday season. Incorporate physical activity into your holiday celebrations. Suggest a post-meal walk or engage in active games to burn off some of those extra calories. This might seem like a drag but it will reduce a lot of the extra heaviness and the guilt that comes into play at the end of the season.
Limit Liquid Calories:
Be mindful of your beverage choices. Opt for lighter cocktails, or dilute alcoholic drinks with sparkling water to reduce overall calorie intake. In fact see if you can skip the Beer (90-130 calories per pint) for Clear white spirits like Gin, Vodka or such which have as low as 30 calories per shot. AS for cocktails, skip ones that have fruit juices or sweet tonics in the mix as the extra sugar from said juices will not just add calories but also enhance the effects of alcohol.
Set Realistic Goals:
Establish realistic expectations for the holiday season. Instead of aiming for perfection, focus on maintaining balance and enjoying the festivities in a way that aligns with your health goals.
Responsible Drinking:
If you choose to consume alcohol, do so responsibly. Set a limit beforehand and consider having a designated driver or alternative transportation arranged. By incorporating these tips into your holiday party playbook, you can strike a balance between enjoying the festivities and making choices that support your health and well-being. Here’s to a season of celebration that leaves you feeling merry and bright – both in spirit and in health!