From cherries to chocolate-filled stockings, pavlova to rum balls – Christmas food is happy food!  With such variety in delicious food it can be tricky to stay in control of how much we eat, but it can be done without needing to pass on your favourites.

Focus on Eating More: Rather than trying to stick to an unsatisfyingly small portion of your much-loved Christmas fare, fill up at least half of your plate with vegetables and colourful salad before reaching for meats and starchy food.  Eating plenty of low energy, yet still delicious food is key to ending a meal feeling satisfied. 

Don’t Go Hungry: Skipping a meal in an attempt to “save your appetite” may seem like a good idea in the lead up to a big dinner or party, but in truth it only leaves you feeling ravenous and ready to eat anything you can get your hands on. It’s far better to focus on eating balanced, evenly spaced meals throughout the day so you can arrive ready to socialise, rather than making a direct beeline for the nibblies. 

A Different Perspective: The festive season is always seen as time where we gain a few pesky kilos, but what if we viewed them as a time where we can better focus on our health. An opportunity to (finally!) dedicate more time to moving, planning our meals, prioritising sleep and preparing for the year to come. Yes, this is a new way to look the holidays, but this simple shift in perspective is a refreshing way to ensure we can relax and enjoy this time of year guilt-free. 

Wishing you a Merry Christmas!