The holiday season is upon us, and as is often the case, the hearty and delicious meals of the Christmas holidays are upon us. And while it's normal to enjoy these moments of family time, many people want to limit the weight gain associated with this time of year without feeling frustrated. Here are 5 tips to help limit weight gain during the holidays.
Do not skip meals
It's not uncommon to see people skip a meal to compensate for the festive dinner, which is often too rich and filling. And yet, this is a false good idea! Indeed, by skipping a meal, you will consume fewer calories. But you will also arrive at dinner with an empty stomach and (probably) hungry. As a result, you will consume larger portions and therefore facilitate the storage of fat. Opt for a light snack and don't skip meals. After all, it's a festive meal, don't feel guilty and treat yourself!
Don't forget to drink water
During the holidays, we tend to drink a little more alcohol and soda than water. Knowing that 1g of alcohol provides 7 kcal and 1g of sugar provides 4 kcal, liquid calories can add up quickly. A glass of champagne, for example, provides between 70 and 120 calories depending on the type of champagne. To limit your consumption of sugary drinks, remember to consume at least 1.5L of water during the day. So remember to stay well hydrated during the evening, remembering that alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health and that its consumption should be moderate.
Did you know?
Drinking water before a meal helps fill your stomach and therefore curb your hunger a little.
Eat slowly
Eating slowly isn't just a trick for holiday meals, but rather a principle to implement daily. Studies have shown that it takes 20 minutes for your brain to receive the satiety signal. Furthermore, eating more slowly is extremely beneficial for your gut health. So, don't hesitate to put down your fork between bites, chew longer, and slow down. Plus, it will make your meal last longer! So to avoid eating more than necessary, take your time.
Maintain regular physical activity
It's true that it's harder to find the motivation to exercise during the winter. And this is even more true during the holiday season. However, exercising helps limit weight gain. It's normal to eat more than usual at the end of the year, so don't forget to exercise. If you're an athlete, maintain your physical activity even if your training frequency decreases. If you're not an athlete, perhaps take this opportunity to look into the subject and adopt a light exercise routine.
Tips.
If you are not used to exercising, go for a 15-30 minute walk after your meal; this helps with digestion.
Eat lighter the following days
While skipping meals, dieting, or depriving yourself during the holiday season isn't an option, there's nothing stopping you from eating lighter after a heavy meal. In this case, opt for a lighter meal with an OKR Light bar.
Who's actually hungry the day after Christmas Eve anyway? And even if you don't follow these tips during the holidays, there's no need to feel guilty. You'll have the opportunity to have a dozen large holiday meals this holiday season. Considering a day is made up of three meals, there are 1,095 meals in a year. 12 out of 1,095 meals won't make much difference.
In summary.
Return to a varied and balanced diet after the holidays, as well as regular physical activity. Your slight weight gain will disappear quickly!
