For many, December equals Christmas parties and an abundance of good food. Christmas is a break from the rest of the calendar year, where we indulge ourselves - even to excess.
For many, this is permitted. However, if you want to complete the Christmas mount without devoting January to lots of diets and restricted eating, here are five helpful tips on how you can manage the Christmas hunger.
1. Keep the sweets in the drawer
Christmas cookies, marzipan, and chocolate. It is hard not to dip into the selection of sweets available in the December. And when we leave the candy in clear sight, we tend to indulge ourselves more than we actually want to. This is because sugar rapidly enters the bloodstream, giving us a short burst of comfort.
Therefore, do yourself a favour and put the candy in the drawer; that way you won’t be tempted as soon as you sit down to relax.
2. Smaller portions
Like the candy, we tend to overindulge in the Christmas food. That is why, there are a couple of helpful rules to keep in mind during the Christmas parties and Christmas eve.
Use a smaller plate, if possible. Already by adhering to that simple rule, you will limit the size of a portion. When you have finished the first portion, wait 20 minutes before going for the second. Because, 20 minutes is the time needed for the body to judge whether we are still hungry or full.
If you are the type of person whom will skip a meal to make room for the main course, consider not doing that. Make sure to have a healthy meal and plenty of water at lunch, even if you have Christmas party in the evening. Besides limiting the amount of food, you will consume later, it also strengthens your system, so you won’t be knocked out by the drinks.
3. Go outside and enjoy the December chill
It is cosy, sitting inside and looking out at the gently drifting snowflakes, but it can be equally satisfying to put on a warm coat and taking a walk in the fresh air.
Therefore, consider making it a tradition to drag the family to the park, or a just a good long stroll. Enjoy the Christmas decorations or go looking for the perfect Christmas tree.
If there is snow outside, you can bring a sled, build a snowman, or initiate a good old-fashioned snowball fight. If the weather permits it, ice skating is also a pleasant option.
4. Abstain for drinking alcohol
In and of itself, alcohol doesn’t make you gain weight. However, alcohol is technically a toxin, meaning that the body will spend its energy trying to neutralise the toxin, rather than properly digesting the food we consume. This causes fat and carbohydrates to be stored in the body. It would therefore be beneficial to drink non-alcoholic drinks, if you want to avoid the extra weight gain.
5. Use ice cubes
Lastly, we will give you a cheeky little tip. If you drop a couple of ice cubes in your wineglass, you will drink slightly less, since the water will slake the thirst and the among of wine is decreased (brings us back to smaller portions). Additionally, if you drink a glass of water for every unit of alcohol you consume, you will help the body digest the food.
It could also mean you will have less of a headache the next day.
Merry Christmas!
