Once again it’s time for festivities and feasting. Here are 25 ways to enjoy healthy eating this holiday season – at home, at the office and with friends.
1. Do some pre-holiday planning. Decide ahead of time how you will handle the different events of the season. For non-festive days, plan healthy meals, and get some exercise every day.
2. Eat a snack before going to a party. Have yogurt or fruit, a few crackers with low-fat cheese, vegetables or a skim-milk latte – so hunger won’t rule your choices.
3. Indulge – moderately. No need to do without your favourite foods, just take small portions and eat slowly; that way you’ll eat less and savour more. A small taste can satisfy your craving.
4. Let your eyes feast first. Before eating, see what is being served. If there are raw vegetables or plain seafood, start with those, to take the edge off your appetite.
5. Avoid guilty pleasures you can have anytime, such as chocolates or chips,
and go with seasonal favourites such as rum-drenched fruitcake. Enjoy, but keep
your portions small.
6. Stand far away from the buffet table. Once you’ve chosen food, take your plate into another room and enjoy calorie-free talk with friends. Make one trip to the buffet, and be selective.
7. At a cocktail party, hold your drink in your right hand if you are right-handed (or left hand if you’re a lefty): It will make it more difficult to reach for food on impulse.
8. At a sit-down dinner, eat slowly. Put your cutlery down between bites and chew thoroughly. Talk between bites, so your meal will last longer. Split dessert with someone else.
9. Be the designated driver. Have one alcoholic drink (make it something you really enjoy) and, for the rest of the evening, choose drinks such as sparkling water, a virgin Caesar or juice with soda.
10. When it comes to beverages, watch those extra calories. An eight-ounce serving of non-alcoholic eggnog has about 362 calories, but the lighter versions contain considerably less. A five-ounce glass of white wine is 100 calories, a 12-ounce beer is 150, a three-ounce martini has about 195 calories, and 1.5 ounces of Scotch has 100 calories. As for mixers, juice and pop contain anywhere between 110 and 150 calories per cup, whereas soda water or diet drinks have virtually no calories.
11. If you’re invited to a friend’s house, take a potted plant, candles or some nice soap instead of candy or other goodies.
12. Plan tempting, yet healthy, substitutions – grilled shrimp versus deep fried; fresh vegetables with low-fat dips rather than nachos; salsa instead of a creamy dip; lettuce wraps versus egg rolls; chicken satay, not wings; ginger snaps instead of shortbread; sushi, not sausage rolls.
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