Here are my 12 happy healthy holiday habits to keep everyone feeling fabulous during the festive season.
- Put in your order in to Santa, Family and Friends
For a lot of people, gift giving at this time of year is not really a thing, it is more about giving to people in need. But for many, there is that expectation to give and receive gifts. Letting people know what types of gifts you prefer and do not prefer can prevent you from getting a lot of stuff you do not want or need. It also prevents a lot of stuff going to landfill and sets up the expectation for future years.
For many people and families, receiving lots of stuff and having to pack away all the packaging and gift wrap, then find a place for said stuff can get quite overwhelming so asking people what they might like if you do want to buy a gift can be helpful for all.
- Buy active gifts for young and old
Trying to ration out ‘sometimes’ foods when there is already a stock from birthdays, Easter, Halloween, and other celebrations spread out over the year can be difficult. Always put thought into your gifts and avoid opting for cheap sometimes foods which contribute to ill-health.
We all want to reduce our screen time, move our body more and experience the joys of life. So, consider gifts of activity and participation. Vouchers to classes for a term, sport equipment or adventure vouchers are fantastic ideas. Even a home-made booklet of I Owe You activity days like a picnic or beach can be a great personalised and cheap family gift.
- Walk, run or ride around your neighbourhood to see the Christmas lights.
Spending time walking around your neighbourhood during the long summer evenings can be a great way to relax after a busy day.Smell all the different dinners being cooked, greet your neighbours and even find some interesting mushrooms, plants, or little critters on your journey.
- Bring something nutritious and delicious to the party
Something fresh and home-made is always going to be tastier and more valued. Some fruit, nuts, cheese and crackers, veggie sticks and dips are great nibbly options.
I find that when you systemise what you bring, ie, choosing one food or dish that you always bring to the party, can make it so much easier. For example, I am the salad person, so I always bring a salad. Another person might have a special dip they like to bring or perhaps be the fruit platter person.
- Practise Mindful eating.
Enjoy the full experience of eating. Slow down and take it all in. The smells, the texture, the memories of past. Be present, in the moment and enjoy your food. Savour the flavours of your favourite foods rather than over-eating them.
- Monitor your hunger
Often at social events we tend to overeat. We can be so busy in conversation that we do not notice how much and what exactly we have eaten. Think about how hungry you are and why you are eating. As we are human, we all eat for reasons apart from true hunger. But being human also means that we can be aware of the reasons why we eat. We can also retrain our body into getting back in touch with our true hunger.
Over the day think about what your hunger signals are telling you. Rate your hunger level out of 10. Zero is starving and 10 is stuffed. Aim to avoid being starved or stuffed. Honour your hunger by eating when your body needs to, which can be 3-4 hourly. Also aim to eat to 70% full.
- Use Your Label Reading Skills
Compare similar products using the nutrition information panel to help you make the best choice. Look a the per 100g column and aim to choose foods that are
- low in fat: less than 3g fat per 100g,
- low sugar: less than 5g per 100g and
- high in fibre: more than 3g per 100g.
Opting for mostly fresh wholesome foods means you do not need to read food labels.
- Alternate soft drinks and alcohol with water
Water helps us stay hydrated and does not add to your energy intake.
Look after everyone by offering water. Soda water, mineral water, water with fruit in it like berries, apple, lemon or lime wedges, ice, mint, thyme, the options are endless!
For the kids and anyone who is looking after their blood sugar levels, mixing a splash of fruit juice with soda water and adding a garnish can make a special drink too so they do not feel left out.
- Plan Christmas Day Food To Avoid food waste.
If you are the host, think about how much food was brought and the number of people last time and how much you need this time. Consider cutting down the number of dishes you ask guests to bring. Ask some guests to help with setting up, cleaning up or taking photos instead.
10. Portion control
Even at special events it is still important to portion control.
- Choose half a plate of colourful non-starchy vegies. Low in energy, high in all those goodies we need. An abundance of flavours and textures to enjoy!
- Choose ¼ plate of carbohydrate foods or less if you have had carbohydrates for nibbles like crackers, bread.
- Choose a palm size of protein foods, again less if you have had some earlier like cheese, nuts etc.
And remember to leave some room for dessert!
- Take focus off indulging in food
Aim to keep eating time limited. Bring out food at a certain time and then pack it away when everyone is done to allow guests to spend quality time with each other. Preventing food from being out of the fridge for too long also helps from a food safety aspect and reduces food waste if you have leftovers.
Plan other activities after eating: go for a walk around the neighbourhood, play a game, sing carols.
- Manage leftovers
Portion out and share leftovers with your guests. Encourage people to bring dishes that have a lid or bring a take home container so everyone can take some food home and eat the next day.
You can also freeze leftovers such as
- slices of meat to add to a quick meal
- fruit: to add to a smoothie or home made ice-blocks, and
- bread and cake
I hope you can savour the full experience of the festive celebrations without too much overindulgence and discomfort. And it might even just prevent you from wanting to make some drastic fantastic new years resolutions that you will not probably not need to make and find too hard to stick to.
