Stop when you’re full
During the holidays, all kinds of temptations lurk. Your agenda is full of appointments: dinners with friends, extensive breakfast sessions and family brunches. A Christmas wreath here, an oliebol there, hot chocolate.
Many people deviate from their normal rhythm during the holidays and ‘graze’ all day long. Also during the holidays, try to stick to the rhythm of three meals a day: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Skipping meals because you expect a big lunch, for example, can cause you to reach for snacks or sweets in between.
Skinny is also possible
Do you want to eat well with family and friends during the holidays, but do you want to watch your weight? Then choose lean products. Lean bacon cubes or lean smoked sausage already contain much fewer calories than the normal variant. This also applies to low-fat cheeses such as 30+ or cottage cheese. There is also a less fatty variant on the market for products such as mayonnaise, cream or dairy.
Choose consciously
Are you in a restaurant and can you choose yourself? If you want to watch your weight, pay attention to what you order. Dishes with white fish generally contain fewer calories than dishes with red meat. White sauces (with cream) are often higher in calories than red sauces, and thick soups are higher in calories than clear ones.
Also keep an eye out for desserts. Profiteroles or cream puffs may sound delicious, but they are also high in calories. Rather opt for fruit after, or a fresh cup of coffee or tea. Of course you can also share your dessert.
Small bites, small crockery
Eating in small bites can make a big difference. Just by eating with a small spoon, or from a small bowl, you feel full faster. Your brain has to process more taste stimuli.
The same goes for what you drink. Try a smaller glass. Soft drinks and juice contain a lot of calories unnoticed. And did you know that the ‘satiety signal’ with soda and juice works much worse than with solid food?
Stop when you’re full
Most of all, enjoy the time with your family and friends. And do you feel satiated? Don’t be embarrassed if you leave something out because you feel full. No one expects you to eat more than you can handle. And feeling bad about eating too much can put a damper on the revelry.
Move
You may not hit the gym or bike to work during the holidays, but there are plenty of other ways to stay active. A nice winter walk or a cycling or skating trip, for example. Get off that couch!
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