We asked our Dietitan, Rachel Haddow, how you can still enjoy Christmas festivities without the weight gain in the New Year.

Here's Rachel's tips:

Tip 1. Everything in Moderation.

It’s important to enjoy this time of year and food is always such a big part of Christmas time. Choose a wide variety of fresh stone fruits that are abundant at this time of year such as peaches, plums and cherries. If they’re well ripened they’re beautiful and sweet and will help curb those cravings for high sugary treats.

It’s ok to indulge. Try this: every time you have a rum ball, piece of rocky road or some sweets, team it with some fruit. Always have fruit out on the table. Fruit is high in fibre and helps to keep us feeling satisfied for longer and of course, is higher in vitamins and antioxidants!

Other Christmas foods and beverages to keep an eye: 

1. Sliced Meats:

Shaved meats in particular aren’t as filling as say a good slice of lean turkey. If you’re worried you’ll over indulge in this area, stay away from processed, sliced meats and go for lean turkey or chicken.

2. Alcohol:

Alcohol is enjoyable in right amounts and is certainly something some people look forward to at this time. However, it also hides a lot of hidden kilojoules and can add up quite quickly. 

I recommend having your drink with some food. You’ll tend to drink less and that way you ensure you’re not drinking on an empty stomach.

3.Desserts and Sweets:

There’s nothing nicer than some beautiful summer trifle or warm Christmas pudding before bed. This is probably the time you will feel your fullest, so I recommend having a portion that would be smaller than usual (around 5 or 6 mouthfuls) and see how you feel in half an hour. 

You may be surprised… and grateful!

Final Tips:

Start the day with a healthy breakfast!! 

By doing this you’ll have more energy for the days festivities and you’re much less likely to be reaching for the plate of White Christmas at 9am!

Remember: there’s always plenty left over the next day. 

If you feel you’re going to miss out if you don’t have as much of the Christmas food as possible, there is more than likely going to be plenty left over the next day. This way you can continue to enjoy Christmas for days after, just by having a little bit each day rather than all at once.

Have plenty of water and stay well hydrated in the Australian heat!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

… from Rachel and the PhysioWorks team

Rachel Haddow

M Diet. Std. & B Hlth Sci (Nutr)

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