It's Christmas Time
Mission Nutrition Blog - 14th December 2011
I really can’t believe it – in less than a few weeks it will be time for the big sit down dinner, ripping open of Christmas presents, reflection on the year that has been and time to think about what is coming in the year ahead – holy moly where is time going?!
It seems that every year the christmas trees arrive sooner and this year more than any I think, the christmas parties have started earlier – I went to two in November infact!! The reality is though that the time has arrived when booze will be flowing, chips and dips will be surrounding you and with end of year-itis’ kicking in your general eating and drinking patterns may become far from healthy. It is not the time or place for me to start suggesting you eat nothing but salad over the festive season and order water instead of wine…but it is a good time to stop and think about a few things to make sure you start 2012 on a good foot, ready to face what can only be a fabulous year ahead.
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- Remember, Christmas comes every year. This won’t be the first, or the last time you see cake, mince pies, pavola and custard! When you are faced with a table of delicious Christmas goodies – have a good look at what is there and just go for one or two of your favourite things rather than feeling that you need to try EVERYTHING!
- If you are going to others for dinner, drinks, nibbles or snacks – lead by example and take some healthier options with you. A homemade salsa or guacamole is a great idea. Mash x1 avocado with x2 tbps of lite sour cream, 2-3 large chopped tomatoes, a dash of sweet chilli sauce and season! Along with some veggies sticks and grainy crackers you are onto a winner.
- Don’t underestimate your snacks. Most people need around 2000kcals/day (clearly more if you are a marathon runner and less if you have a few spare tyres to lose) but generally this is a ball park. 500kcals for a meal (ish), 150-200kcals for a snack with a few kcals to spare for the odd treat, BUT consider this…a mini sausage roll is about 120kcals (same as a small glass of wine), a mini pastry bite-sized snack, about 140kcals, a deep fried risotto ball…120kcals. Have one of each of those tiny morsles and you have already maxed your kcal quote for a meal and haven’t had any good nutrition yet (let alone feel full!!). So, be mindful that those fatty, pastry like, deep fried snacks, however small do add up!
- Don’t forget the veggies – side dishes are a fabulous way to get nutritional goodness in this Christmas. Rather than just focusing on the meat and spuds, look at rocket salads, red cabbage salad, thai beef salad, moroccan chicken couscous, BBQ veggie medley…see what you can come up with and let me know how you go! Love to see some healthy Christmas dinner snaps.
- Manage your drinking - A recap on the basics – Soft drinks are FULL of sugar, if you are having these as a mixer, go for the ‘diet’ version where you can. Fruit and veggie juice is a GREAT alternative to normal fruit jucie, it’s lower in sugar and suprisingly a very tasty mixer. Just Juice with veggies tropical flavour is tasty with any white spirit. Tonic water is nearly as high in sugar as Coke, so don’t be fooled into thinking a G+T is lower in kcals…unless you go for diet tonic that is. With wine and beer, have a little of what you like remembering less is best. Alternate drinks with still and sparkling water, and take one for the team and be a sober driver when you can this christmas!
Have a FABULOUS time, look forward to talking more in the new year!
Love Claire xo
Need to buy someone you love a GREAT gift this Christmas?
- Buy someone the gift of health and wellness with a Mission Nutrition voucher. This is a gift everyone will love and look forward to using – a personalised plan to help the one you care about get their eating, health and wellness on track. When you get your voucher, let us know you booked from this BLOG and we will throw in some more goodies!
- Or if you're sick of feeling out of control and the festive season is only the tip of the iceberg; we can help you start afresh for 2012.
For your own personalised nutrition assessment and plan, call us today and see how we can help you sort out exactly what to eat and when. We are a team of qualified and experienced Dietitians and Nutritionists who can help you be your best! Contact us today on 09 948 7999 or email us today.
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