Dec 06, 2011 at 3:59pm

As we approach the end of the year, there is so much joy and excitement which comes with feasting and merry making. Between 24th December and 3rd January, many people travel back home or meet ‘long-lost’ families and friends.

It is also a period where many parties are organized and people feel obliged to give you something to eat and drink when you visit them. This makes healthy eating and lifestyle very challenging and many of us commit nutritional suicides which we sometimes become difficult to recover from.

But do you have to eat everything you are offered during the holiday season?
Prevention they say is better than cure so let us examine the different aspects of this nutritional trap and how we can escape it fully and start 2012 with minimum nutritional damage to our health and future.

• Learn to say ‘no’ to certain offers of food and/or drink

• Pre-plan the number of parties or activities to attend in a day during the season and avoid those you are not too comfortable with

• Sample food/drinks you are offered so that even if you visit many people or attend many parties, you would not ‘offend’ anyone by refusing to eat or drink what you are offered.

• When you’re offered food/drink, look out for options with low fats/oils and low sugar levels as they tend to have low calorie levels and healthier.

• Opt for foods that contain more greens, vegetables and fruits
Know the effects poor diet on your health and say no to excessive junk food, alcohol and sweets. Lack of self control is a factor in overeating which can cause obesity. Let us therefore be aware of the long-term consequences of excessive eating this holiday period.

Merry Christmas in advance and let us not forget the real reason for the celebration: the birth of Jesus Christ our Saviour.


Source: The Globe