A Message from Santa's Little Heifer...

11 Dec 2014

Tags: bootcamp sydney, bootcamp melbourne, bootcamp brisbane, health, nutrition,

For many people Christmas lunch/dinner is about creating a feast fit for an army and then eating as much as you can humanly fit into your belly before passing out on the couch for a few hours in the steamy heat of the afternoon.

It’s funny because it’s true, and even funnier because we all do it. But do we enjoy that feeling of overfull and is it really necessary? Even Santa Clause looks like he has celebrated 1 too many feasts in his time.

Here's 10 tips to help you avoid the food coma this Christmas period

1. Include plenty of healthy and light options as part of your feast- salads with light citrus/olive oil dressings and lean meats and seafood

2. Don’t feel the need to taste everything- choose what you actually feel like, perhaps something that is a bit different from your usual meals

3. Start your day right, eat a healthy breakfast and then Serve up less than you think you need. THERE IS ALWAYS LEFTOVERS if you still feel like it! Choose a smaller plate so that you're forced to take a smaller serving

4. Don’t fill up on fizzy or bloating drinks before hand

5. Don’t even bother with the bread- there’s so much other good food on the table

6. Start your meal with some fermented foods such as sauerkraut to get the gastric juices flowing and allow your body an easier digestive process

7. Sit next to someone whose conversation you will enjoy. It will force your to EAT slower than usual, allowing the food to reach your stomach before heading back for seconds

8. Have a backup plan for the leftovers- can you donate them to somebody or divide them up so that everyone takes a plate home

9. Only eat dessert if you still have room and have a small portion OR take your serving home for later

10. Go for a gentle walk to help your food digest

AND if you do get the end of the day and realize you’ve overdone it (again), just be grateful for the abundance in your life and start the next day with some exercise and only a light breakfast

If you would like some healthy festive food inspiration check out Teresa Cutter's Christmas creations.