Christmas can be a magical time of the year, but it can also be time for us to be hugely unhealthy. A lot of us feel lethargic and sluggish after overindulging over the holidays. Add in the fact that fitness can go on the back burner at this time of year; this is a recipe for feeling unhealthy and gaining a whole heap of extra pounds.
Eat a Good Breakfast
Chocolate or mince pies for breakfast may seem super fun at Christmas, but often, it just leads to more snacking for the rest of the day.
A good breakfast fills you up, so you will be less likely to grab every festive treat before lunchtime!
If you skimp on breakfast, you are more likely to be craving sugary and fatty foods for the rest of the day.
But a good breakfast sets you up for eating in a super balanced way.
Think poached or scrambled eggs or a bowl of oatmeal with fresh fruit. To put a festive treat on it, you can add some cranberries and dates.
A protein breakfast is a super-intelligent choice over Christmas goodies and bonus points. You can also work in some healthy fats like salmon or avocado.
Be Mindful of Hidden Calories
Sauces can add a ton of extra calories. They can contain a whole heap of salt too.
Even cranberry sauce can become super unhealthy if processed and full of fat, salt, and calories.
If you can make your natural versions, it can make a huge difference.
Alcohol is also a huge source of hidden calories.
Holding back on these extra calories and piling plates with plenty of veggies is perfect for a healthier Christmas.
As a bonus, veggies can help fill you up, so snacking is unlikely later on.
Portion Your Meals and Treats
It is always super tempting to eat more significant portions over the holidays, especially if you dig out the special plates that hold more.
Keeping portions to a regular size is super important. If you eat more than usual as a family for meals over Christmas, make the veggies count.
As a general rule? Aim for half the plate to be made up of veggies and pack in as many different ones as you can to get a broader range of nutrients.
Having a healthier Christmas means you have to give up some treats and portion them instead!
Instead of grabbing a ton of treats and eating them mindlessly, get everyone into the habit of only having a piece or two of chocolate or mini treats rather than full-sized ones.
This way, the whole family can still enjoy treats but without tons of calories and sugar!
Make Healthy Treats
Another super-easy way to enjoy your favorite treats is to develop your versions in other to make them healthier. You can put a festive twist on them, too. So you will not feel like missing out. Adding flavors such as gingerbread and cinnamon can bring a winter or Christmas vibe while still being a ton healthier than processed treats.
Your little ones will likely find these treats fun and yummy. It is an easy way to give them healthier treats.
Keep Moving
Vegging out in front of the television can be super traditional at Christmas. Still, it’s also a huge factor in adding those unwanted extra pounds over the holidays.
If your Christmas usually goes like this, try switching things up this year. Look for creative ways to get the whole family moving. That can be anything from going for an after-dinner walk to a family dance-off to festive tunes.
A few more ideas include:
-You are stretching or doing mini-workouts while watching festive films and tv shows.
-Packing up a picnic and enjoying it after a walk
-Have a snowball fight if you get a white Christmas
Getting active after eating can help with digestion and minimize blood sugar spikes. As well as burning calories, this can also keep cravings in check and curb snacking later on.
Give Your Brain a Workout Too
Spending a whole heap of time on the sofa over Christmas can have adverse effects on your mind too. It’s super common for your brain to feel sluggish afterward.
Avoiding this can be as simple as keeping your brain active over the holidays.
Unplug your phones for a while and play some board games as a family or some family-friendly puzzles.
It can be better fun and healthy than watching Christmas films and television. In addition, this can be a great mental workout.
Physical activity can also help keep your brain healthy – another great reason to get out and about as a family over Christmas!
