By Zoe Bingley-Pullin, Nutrition Expert
www.nutritionaledge.com.au
The party season has arrived, and it is very easy to slip into the old habit of overeating and drinking. Sticking to a regimented eating plan can be a hard feat when you have to attend the work Christmas party or end-of-year drinks. These tips by nutrition expert Zoe Bingley-Pullin will help you avoid overindulging, even when faced with Christmas cake and champagne, but won’t kill your holiday buzz.
1. Don’t starve yourself. Holiday times can easily be the time of overeating, but they can also be the time when people under eat so they can fit into their new bikini. This is very bad for your body, and for your sanity. By restricting the amount you eat throughout the day, you will slow your metabolic rates and when you do eat, you will make rash decisions because you are starving.
The trick is to eat small meals or frequent snacks throughout the day. Try keeping a container of raw and unsalted nuts in your bag.
2. Eat before you go to a function. If you are under duress to attend functions throughout the week, a simple solution to reduce your calorie consumption is to eat a small protein based meal before you go out.
Protein has the advantage of burning slowly so it will help to take the edge off your hunger. So when that tray of salmon roulade wafts by, it won’t be your empty stomach making the decision.
3. Be healthy and creative with your cooking. So many people have the perception that to be healthy means food has to be boring. This could not be further from the truth. Simply using olive oil instead of butter will dramatically reduce your saturated fat consumption. Avocado on crackers instead of cream cheese is another good tip.
4. Be selective on which occasions you go to. It is nice to be invited to as many special functions as possible, but when you’re eating more spring rolls than vegetables that is when you know you are overdoing it. Choose one special friend’s occasion and one work occasion to go to eat per week.
5. Keep it in perspective. Remember that holidays are meant to be a time of relaxing and chilling out. So if planning the Christmas lunch is proving to be a mammoth event, ask everyone to bring a dish.
Recipe for the party season:
Place a tin of chickpeas in a blender. Add 1 tsp of paprika, 1 tsp of cumin, 1 tbsp lemon juice and ½ tsp of honey.
Blend together until a smooth paste. Grate a carrot and stir through the chickpea mixture. Served with vegetables, or on toasted wholegrain bread. Healthy and creative!!
For more information on Zoe’s nutrition practice and details of her cooking classes, go to www.nutritionaledge.com.au/index.html