Top tips for resisting the temptation to overindulge over Christmas
From the boxes of Quality Street sitting in the staff room to the goodies under the tree, you’ll be facing one temptation after another over the Christmas period and if you’re not careful, you could find your good intentions falling to the wayside.
Avoid derailing your diet over the holidays, stay on track with our top tips for resisting the temptation to overindulge.
Start planning ahead
One of the best ways to stop yourself from accidentally munching on fattening snacks is to plan ahead. If you’re off to a party or you know you’re going to be prepping naughty foods, have a nutritious snack beforehand to stifle the temptation to nibble.
Consider your drinks
A little tipple is a nice part of the holiday celebrations but some drinks are laden with calories. Cut your consumption without limiting your fun by passing over cocktails, beers and creamy liqueurs in favour of white wine or spirits.
Keep an eye on your canapés
They’re so small you hardly notice you’re eating them – but that doesn’t mean they won’t wreck all your hard work. At a party, decide beforehand how many canapés you’ll eat and if your treats come with a cocktail stick of foil packet, hang onto them so you can keep count.
Be strict in the kitchen
When you’re cooking up a storm, you want to make sure all of your dishes are as flavoursome as they should be – but a few sneaky taste tests here and there and your diet will be in tatters. Be aware of your testing and set yourself a limit for each dish.
Cut portion sizes
Want to make sure you get the chance to taste everything on the table this Christmas? Go ahead, but serve your food on a much smaller plate than normal. Using a large plate can trick you into overeating while a small one will keep your portion levels reasonable.
Keep your water glass full
Stay hydrated and not only will you feel fuller (and less likely to snack), you’ll also aid digestion and detoxification. Have a glass of water alongside every Christmas sherry and you’ll have a clearer head the next morning too.
Stay active and walk it off
It’s tempting to curl up on the sofa when the weather is bad but by facing the high street for some Christmas shopping or heading out to the countryside for a brisk walk, you can keep your metabolism working hard and work off a few calories.
Don’t deny yourself completely
The most important thing to remember is that it’s ok to sample Christmas treats, as long as you don’t go overboard. Enjoy everything in moderation and you’ll be less likely to throw caution to the wind and abandon your diet or feel bad about how much you had later. One big meal or extra piece of Christmas pud isn’t enough to undo all your hard work, and if you do find you’re overindulging, don’t worry – you can get back on track by eating sensibly the next day.
How do you resist overindulging at Christmas?
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