Around this time of year, eating and drinking a little too much seems like a holiday tradition, but going too wild can make it difficult to get back on track in January.
Here, Jessica Wang, registered dietitian at Loblaws, shares her top four tips to survive your next holiday party without falling off the food wagon.
1. Try to go easy on the high-fat foods . Pastries, pies, sausages, and cream-based soups or sides are delicious, but they're often high in calories or fat. Given the choice, leaner meats like turkey or chicken are good alternatives to red meat. If you're doing the cooking, you can also make some simple ingredient swaps like egg whites instead of eggs, low-fat yogurt instead of sour cream, and flour combined with skim milk instead of cream.
2. Make smart beverage choices . Try to alternate between one alcoholic drink and one glass of water. Just two cups of traditional eggnog may have as many as 500 calories. Stick to dry wine, low-cal beer, or spirits with calorie-free mixers like diet or club sodas. “I typically recommend having one glass of a higher-calorie beverage and then switching to something low calorie for the rest of the evening,” says Wang.
3. Stick to your eating routine and don't skip meals . Planning your meals, getting a balanced breakfast and lunch, and snacking before you leave will help keep your appetite in check at the party. Registered dietitians at grocery stores like Loblaws and Zehrs are a great free resource to help you plan nutritious meals and snacks that will leave you feeling satisfied.
4. Everything in moderation . It's okay to eat seasonal sweets and indulge now and again. Whether it's those chocolate-dipped shortbread cookies or a candy cane, remember to take a responsible portion and get the most out of your favourite seasonal treats by slowing down and really savouring the taste.
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