Christmas Diet Tips

You are here: > Blog > Christmas Diet Tips

Posted by Lynda on December 17th, 2012 (Diet, Weight Loss)

Christmas diet tips to help you pick the healthier option over the festive season, from Sydney dietitian Lynda Hamilton.

‘Tis the season to be jolly and of course it is natural to do a spot of over-indulging over Christmas and the holiday season – myself included!

That said, there are always healthier alternatives so here are a few tips to help you pick the healthy option over the festive season, and keep the weight gain to a minimum while still enjoying yourself.

Christmas Diet Tips

Stay trim over the festive season while still enjoying yourself with these Christmas diet tips.

1) Size Matters!
It’s all about portion control, especially when you will be eating more than usual. So don’t load up your plate or serve especially big portions. Remember, there are always plenty of leftovers at this time of year, so don’t over-indulge the first time around.

2) Watch Your Snacking
It’s often what we eat in between meals that piles on the kilograms, so don’t accept every chocolate offered to you buy the energetic children in the family. Instead, pick healthier snack-s – which means avoiding crisps, biscuits and pastry packed sausage rolls and mince pies. Go for nuts, fruit, chopped veg and dips, popcorn and a small portion of cheese as the healthier alternative.

Read this previous post for more ideas on healthy snacking, and check the Hamilton Dietetics Blog on Friday for some healthy dip recipes. They are the perfect healthy Christmas recipes – easy to make, full of good nutrition and will keep for a week in the fridge.

3) Be Active
Plan a few family activities that will get you all running around for half an hour in the back garden, at the park or on the beach. Buy some cheap water pistols for a family water fight, play cricket or Christmas hide ‘n’ seek to find presents. Go swimming, for a Christmas walk or a festive bike ride.

4) Think Healthy in the Kitchen
If you are the one entertaining or feeding the family, think healthy in the kitchen. Invest in a spray oil to roast veggies or for barbecuing – you’ll use so much less oil when cooking. Only get healthy snacks in – they are equally as delicious. It’s all about striking a balance so serve plenty of veg and salads alongside the family favourites, and mix up dessert to include fruit salads and fruit desserts too. Or make this recipe for healthy ice cream.

5) And finally….Relax
It’s Christmas so relax. If you’re active and avoid high calorie snacks in between meals, the weight gain over Christmas will be minimal. Just remember to be mindful in situations outside of home. For instance, if you’re bored at a social gathering and sitting in front of the snacks grazing because you haven’t anyone to talk to – catch yourself and do something else instead.

Merry Christmas to you all, and good tidings for the year ahead! Lynda

By Lynda Hamilton

Lynda Hamilton is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian and Accredited Nutritionist BSc, BHSc (N&D) at Hamilton Dietetics. If you would like to speak to a dietitian in Sydney, get in touch with Lynda.

« Two Sin-Free Ice Cream Recipes

Recipes for Healthy Dips »