   
BLOG | Preserving Your Figure This Christmas
According to the Food Standards Agency, the average person consumes a whopping 7,000 calories on Christmas Day alone! The most calorific of festive offerings include cake, crisps and (of course) Christmas pudding, but snacking/drinking too much and eating starchy foods can also lead to unwanted weight gain.
And here’s another statistic: it only takes 3,500 calories to gain weight. So how can you possibly avoid weight gain during the festive season? Here are some tips on how to get through December whilst preserving your figure:-
1. Add more vegetables to meals. True, potatoes are vegetables, but it's important to diversify in order to get more beneficial nutrients. Good choices include carrots, peas, asparagus and green beans - steamed or boiled, of course. Aim to fill at least half your plate with vegetables in order to reduce your calorie intake.
2. Limit yourself to one daily treat. Although it's tempting to fill up on crisps and cake, it's not a very smart choice - these treats are often depleted of essential nutrients and contain empty calories. Stick to one daily treat to cut your overall calorie intake, and add fruit to increase your nutrient quota.
3. Go steady on your alcohol intake. Alcohol contains empty calories that have no nutritional benefit, and it tends to increase your appetite. According to a study conducted by the University of Liverpool, people who consumed as little as 330 millilitres of lager (containing 32 grams of alcohol) were far more likely to consume high-fat, salty food items compared to those who were alcohol free.
4. Choose healthy options to snack on. Although cheese, sweets and other traditional Christmas snacks are fine in moderation, constant snacking on these treats quickly tots up the calories, adding inches to your waistline. Therefore - to manage your calorie intake - consider snacking on vegetables, fruit or nuts which are packed with goodness. Healthy snacks also tend to fill you up for longer, meaning you’re less likely to overindulge later on.
5. Opt for turkey instead of goose. Goose is a popular choice at Christmas but unfortunately it has a high fat content, so opt for turkey and pair it with plenty of roasted or steamed vegetables.
Obviously, Christmas is the perfect time for celebrating and everyone deserves to unwind and to have fun. A little indulgence will also do no harm at all.
However, excessive indulgence can lead to weeks (and sometimes months) of an expanded waistline and snug fitting clothes. So enjoy...but just be mindful of the consequences!
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Posted by: Theo Wood | 1st December 2010 |
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