10 tips for a healthy Christmas if you're away from home
Christmas is coming and, of course, the dinners and copious meals, the long after-dinner parties ... and other excesses of these important dates. But why not turn the tables and keep healthy habits to maintain the achievements made during the year? Even if you are traveling and staying in a hotel or eating out, you can do it.
10 tips to take care of you at Christmas
If this year you are going to celebrate Christmas at home or away from home, take note of these ten tips to take care of yourself and enjoy healthy holidays:
1. Anticipate the circumstances. If you already know that it is a Christmas meal or an abundant dinner such as Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve, plan the breakfast and the other lighter meal. But beware, you should never skip any intake, if you do you will get to the next meal with more hunger, and therefore, with less control when choosing the quantities.
2. The day starts well. Hotel breakfasts offer many varieties of fresh fruit, whole grain breads, nuts, skim milk products or vegetable drinks. Take the opportunity to make healthy choices and start the day in a healthy way.
3. Beware of alcohol. During the holidays there will be many moments when they offer you alcoholic beverages. We can toast for good wishes, but the less alcohol is taken, the better. It is preferable to choose water as a regular drink to accompany meals, and if you drink soft drinks, it is advisable that they be without sugar. Also keep in mind that more and more hotels offer mocktails (non-alcoholic cocktails).
4. Choose vegetables and salads. If the celebration is in a restaurant, choose a menu rich in vegetables, with ingredients cooked with low-fat techniques such as baking, steaming, boiling, grilling, stir-frying or low-temperature cooking.
5. Start the menu with a light starter as a soft broth or a first dish based on vegetables, and better if they are fresh and seasonal.
6. Choose low fat recipes and based on fish or second course, with vegetable accompaniments. And if you prefer vegetarian options opt for whole grains or legumes stewed with vegetables.
7. Opt for whole wheat bread as an accompaniment, instead of refined options.
8. Close the menu with a dessert based on fresh fruit as the main ingredient.
9. During long after-hours, limit the consumption of sweets. Infusions, fresh fruit and nuts are a healthy alternative.
10. And on these holidays, keep your daily physical exercise routine. Keep this in mind and if you have not yet chosen the hotel where you are going to stay, look for one that has a fitness room, it can be a great option especially on these dates.
It is important that people who want to take care of themselves, or who have to do it by medical recommendation, do so also on special dates such as Christmas.
Martina Miserachs Dietitian-nutritionist and CEO of Healthia Certification
