Tips for staying healthy over the holidays

WITH the festive season in full swing, thoughts of diets and exercise seem to disappear faster than the bowl of trifle you had for breakfast.

But the holidays do not have to mean completely ditching your health and fitness goals, and if done right, treats can be incorporated into your diet plan.

Here is how:

Moderation

Pacing your eating is key. Instead of eliminating foods from your diet, rather practice eating them in small portions while still trying to balance your food groups.

Healthy snacks

Try not to overindulge on junk food to get your sugar fix. Rather eat tasty fruits and add vegetables to the mix.

Try not to skip meals

With a change in schedules and holiday rush, skipping meals is a problem during the holidays and this often leads to increased hunger and the tendency to over-eat. Try to carry a small meal or snack with you if you are on the go. This can be a salad, veggie sticks, nuts and seeds or a fruit salad.

Watch out for liquid calories

Alcohol, coffees, fruit juices and soft drinks are often high in sugar and carbohydrates. Remember to pace yourself.

Keep your distance from the snack table

The further you are from the snack table, the less you will eat. Sometimes we tend to snack simply because it is available to us. When you are hungry, rather put a few snacks on a plate and walk away. In this way, you will remain conscious of how much you are consuming.

Maintain your workouts

This could even be the perfect time to start a new workout since you have more time on your hands.

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