{"id":2721046,"date":"2021-12-10T12:39:32","date_gmt":"2021-12-10T01:39:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.healthyman.com.au\/?p=2721046"},"modified":"2021-12-10T12:39:32","modified_gmt":"2021-12-10T01:39:32","slug":"healthier-ways-enjoy-festive-foods-christmas-new-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.healthyman.com.au\/healthier-ways-enjoy-festive-foods-christmas-new-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Healthier ways to enjoy festive foods and drinks these holidays"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many people associate Christmas time with excessive eating and drinking especially with all the delicious festive foods on offer.<\/p>\n

If you’re worried about eating or drinking too much over the party season, the good news is there are ways to manage your food and drink consumption so you don\u2019t hinder your weight loss plans \u2013 plus still have fun!<\/p>\n

We know that if you are following a healthy eating plan\u00a0you may be wondering exactly what is the best option in terms of calories for your festive tipple. See our guide below.<\/p>\n

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Tips to enjoy the festive foods this holiday season without overindulging<\/h2>\n

1. Don\u2019t arrive ravenous<\/b><\/h3>\n

There’s nothing like extreme hunger to test anyone\u2019s willpower.<\/p>\n

If you arrive at a\u00a0gathering\u00a0hungry you are far more likely to end up overdoing it on alcohol, plus whatever food happens to be served first (which tends to be pastry or batter covered).<\/p>\n

Try to prepare for this by having a nutritious snack before you arrive, such as a banana, yoghurt, some trail mix or a Healthy Man Meal Replacement<\/strong><\/a> shake\u00a0(especially if you know there won\u2019t be the main meal served).<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Don\u2019t stand near the food or the bar<\/b><\/h3>\n

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Try to keep busy chatting with people away from the snacks, and avoid the tendency to overeat just for something to do with your hands.<\/p>\n

Grab a glass of water so that your hands are busy if that helps.<\/p>\n

3. Choose your drinks wisely<\/b><\/h3>\n

Free drinks can be a killer for willpower. Especially large, creamy, sugary drinks with umbrellas in them.<\/p>\n

If you do fancy a cocktail it\u2019s best to go for something icy rather than creamy, and one that is flavoured with fresh fruit is better than something packed with syrups or cordials. Think Mojito (160 cal) instead of a\u00a0Creamy Midori Splice (370 cal).<\/p>\n

A great option is to enjoy a glass of white wine or champagne with some sparkling water in it. You still enjoy the flavour but it drastically reduces your alcohol and calorie intake. Plus no one will know that you are being drink-smart.<\/p>\n

4. Avoid anything deep-fried, buttery or creamy<\/h3>\n

There is, for some reason, a tendency for people to think that everyone needs more batter and mayonnaise in their life at social occasions.<\/p>\n

Snacks such as deep-fried prawns, sausage rolls, creamy dips and spring rolls abound on canap\u00e9 trays all over the country. These are best avoided – unless you know they are a healthier recipe. Try filling up on healthy options such as carrot sticks and hummus instead, a small amount of cheese, or some fresh fruit.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

5. Try to source the better choices in the food department<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Photo by Nicole Michalou from Pexels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Your best bet is to fill up on better options such as quiches, rice paper rolls, fresh fruit, bruschetta, sandwiches on wholegrain bread, smoked salmon, meatballs and sushi.<\/p>\n

Check out this healthy Christmas Ham!<\/p>\n

6. Set yourself some limits<\/b><\/h3>\n

If you find you don\u2019t have an \u2018off\u2019 button for the drinks or food at the party, it can help to set yourself a number of each that you will have.<\/p>\n

That way you can still be a part of the event and enjoy yourself, but if you reach your 3-drink or 4-canape limit then this might help you to keep yourself in check and not overdo it.<\/p>\n

7. Don\u2019t overfill your plate<\/b><\/h3>\n

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If there is a buffet or a sit-down meal, try your best to keep your portions in check.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s easy to get carried away when you want to try everything, but remember that this is not your last meal and that you are trying to be healthy (so best to take the extra dinner roll out of your purse).<\/p>\n

8. Watch the sauces and dressings<\/b><\/h3>\n

There is nothing that can undo your great choices faster than a creamy sauce or high-fat salad dressing. If in doubt, leave it out and go for a splash of olive oil for your salad or some mustard for your roast beef.<\/p>\n

9. Have a line or two ready for over-eager waiters<\/b><\/h3>\n

If you are one of those people that find it hard to say no to a smiling waiter with a tray of party pies, it pays to be organised.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no need for you to give them your life story, a simple line such as “They look great, but I\u2019m all set thanks”<\/em> or “I\u2019m fine for now”<\/em> will suffice.<\/p>\n

How to find the lowest calorie drinks<\/h2>\n

When you are trying to\u00a0lose weight, choosing the better option from the bar can be confusing. With all the low carb beers, low alcohol wines, not to mention the offers of fruity cocktails \u2013 it can start to feel like there are too many choices.<\/p>\n

Of course, it\u2019s not just calories you want to keep an eye on with your alcoholic drinks \u2013 sugar is another one to watch. Many drinks (even the non-sweet ones) contain sugar (due to the fermentation process, as well as added sugar in others) so it\u2019s important to take note of that as well.<\/p>\n

1. Beer<\/b><\/h3>\n

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When it comes to beer, it\u2019s pretty easy to remember \u2013 the lower the alcohol content, the lower the calories. The alcohol content is more important than whether the beer claims to be \u2018low carb\u2019 or not.<\/p>\n

So if you fancy a couple of drinks at a BBQ, light beer is a good choice as it comes in at 100 calories for a 375ml serve (compared to 145 cal for a full-strength).<\/p>\n

What is the best beer for weight loss?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

2. Wine<\/b><\/h3>\n

A typical glass of wine comes in at 90 calories for a 120ml serve. It\u2019s important to note that wine is much stronger than beer (around 12% for wine compared to 4.8% for beer) so be careful not to overdo it.<\/p>\n

You may try enjoying a wine spritzer \u2013 which is half wine (or try half champagne) and half sparkling water. You still enjoy the taste of the wine, but it helps to keep you hydrated and clear-headed (including the next morning).<\/p>\n

How Many Calories In a Bottle of Red Wine?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

3. Spirits<\/b><\/h3>\n

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Once again there is a big jump in the strength of spirits with most coming in around the 40% mark.<\/p>\n

While a single 30ml nip of vodka or scotch contains around 65 calories, it\u2019s the mixers that you need to keep an eye on.<\/p>\n

Topping up your rum with a 375ml Coca Cola will add a further 161 calories (and almost 10 teaspoons of sugar!). Ginger beer and lemonade are not much better at 165 cal and 124 cal respectively.<\/p>\n

Juice is another one that people often mistake as being a great choice for a mixer. But the 200ml of pineapple juice adds 100 calories and plenty of sugar to your drink too.<\/p>\n

Processed juice from a container often has added sugar (as well as natural sugars) so are best avoided if you can.<\/p>\n

The better choices? Go for soda water with some fresh lime \u2013 soda contains 0 calories and 0 sugar.<\/p>\n

Also, why not try adding just a splash of juice to your spirit and then topping up with sparkling water?<\/p>\n

You could also try some diet soft drinks \u2013 they aren\u2019t an everyday option by any means (as they contain sweeteners and numerous additives) but they are much lower calorie and lower in sugar than their full strength counterparts. And don’t be fooled into thinking that tonic water is a healthier choice – it’s very sugary and high in calories too.<\/p>\n

How Many Calories In Vodka? And why we need to know.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Photo by Laura James from Pexels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Healthy Man happy hour tips<\/b><\/h2>\n