How to enjoy the festive season WITHOUT gaining weight

Many people associate Christmas time with excessive eating and drinking. If you’re worried about eating or drinking too much over the party season, the good news is there are ways manage your food and drink consumption so you don’t hinder your weight loss plans – plus still have fun!

We also know that if you are following the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge, you may be wondering what the best option is for your festive tipple. See our guide below to help you make the best choice.

How to enjoy the festive season WITHOUT gaining weight

1. Don’t arrive ravenous

There’s nothing like extreme hunger to test anyone’s willpower. If you arrive at a gathering hungry you are far more likely to end up overdoing it on alcohol, plus whatever food happens to be served first (which tends to be pastry or batter covered).

Try to prepare for this by having a nutritious snack before you arrive, such as a banana, yogurt, some trail mix or a Healthy Mummy Smoothie (especially if you know there won’t be a main meal served).

2. Don’t stand near the food or the bar

Try to keep busy chatting with people away from the snacks, and avoid the tendency to overeat just for something to do with your hands. Grab a water so that your hands are busy if that helps.

3. Choose your drinks wisely

Free drinks can be a killer for willpower. Especially large, creamy, sugary drinks with umbrellas in them. If you do fancy a cocktail it’s best to go for something icy rather than creamy, and one that is flavoured with fresh fruit is better than something packed with syrups or cordials. Think Mojito instead of a Creamy Midori Splice.

A great option is to enjoy a glass of white wine or champagne with some sparkling water in it. You still enjoy the flavour but it drastically reduces your alcohol and calorie intake. Plus no one will know that you are being drink-smart.

4. Avoid anything deep-fried, buttery or creamy

There is, for some reason, a tendency for people to think that everyone needs more batter and mayonnaise in their life at social occasions.

Snacks such as deep fried prawns, sausage rolls, creamy dips and spring rolls abound on canapé trays all over the country. These are best avoided – unless they are a Healthy Mummy healthier recipe. Try filling up on healthy options such as carrot sticks and hummus instead, a small amount of cheese, or some fresh fruit. 

5. Try to source better choices in the food department

Your best bet is to fill up on better options such as quiches, rice paper rolls, fresh fruit, bruschetta, sandwiches on wholegrain bread, smoked salmon, meatballs and sushi.

Why not take along a dish to a friend’s party, like these Healthy Quiche Taco Boats? They’re delicious and you’ll know there will be something for you to grab and enjoy.

6. Set yourself some limits

If you find you don’t have an ‘off’ button for the drinks or food at the party, it can help to set yourself a number of each that you will have. That way you can still be a part of the event and enjoy yourself, but if you reach your 3-drink or 4-canape limit then this might help you to keep yourself in check and not overdo it.

7. Don’t overfill your plate

If there is a buffet or a sit-down meal, try your best to keep your portions in check.

It’s easy to get carried away when you want to try everything, but remember that this is not your last meal and that you are trying to be healthy (so best to take the extra dinner roll out of your purse). Try filling at least half your plate with a leafy salad and/or veggies to help keep the rest of your portions in check.

8. Watch the sauces and dressings

There is nothing that can undo your great choices faster than a creamy sauce or high-fat salad dressing. If in doubt, leave it out and go for a splash of olive oil for your salad or some mustard for your roast beef.

9. Have a line or two ready for over-eager waiters

If you are one of those people that find it hard to say no to a smiling waiter with a tray full of spring rolls, it pays to be organised.

There’s no need for you to give them your life story, a simple line such as “They look great, but I’m all set thanks” or “I’m fine for now” will suffice.

How to find the lowest calorie drinks

When you are trying to lose weight, choosing the better option from the bar can be confusing. With all the low carb beers, low alcohol wines, not to mention the offers of fruity cocktails – it can start to feel like there are too many choices.

Of course, it’s not just calories you want to keep an eye on with your alcoholic drinks – sugar is another one to watch. Many drinks (even the non sweet ones) contain sugar (due to the fermentation process, as well as added sugar in others) so it’s important to take note of that as well.

1. Beer

When it comes to beer, it’s pretty easy to remember – the lower the alcohol content, the lower the calories. Alcohol content is more important than whether the beer claims to be ‘low carb’ or not. So if you fancy a couple of drinks at a party, a light beer is a good choice.

2. Wine

It’s important to note that wine is much stronger than beer (around 12% for wine compared to 4.8% for beer) so be careful not to overdo it. You may enjoy a wine spritzer – which is half wine (or try half champagne) and half sparkling water. You still enjoy the taste of the wine, but it helps to keep you hydrated and clear headed (including the next morning).

3. Spirits

Once again there is a big jump in the strength of spirits with most coming in around the 40% mark. While a single 30ml nip of vodka or scotch is relatively low in calories, it’s the mixers that you need to keep an eye on.

Topping up your rum with a 375ml Coca Cola will add almost 10 teaspoons of sugar and ginger beer and lemonade are not much better! Juice is another one that people often mistake as being a great choice for a mixer but is usually packed with sugar.

The better choices? Go for soda water with some fresh lime – soda contains 0 calories and 0 sugar. Or why not try adding just a splash of juice to your spirit and then topping up with sparkling water?

For a healthier option, why not try whipping up one of these Blueberry Breeze Cocktails? With less than 90 calories per serve, it’s a great option for a tipple.

Ingredients (makes 1 serve)

• 2 tbsp blueberries, fresh or frozen (30 grams)
• 2 tsp lemon juice (10 mls)
• 1/2 cup soda water (125 mls)
• 150 mls sparkling wine

Method

1. Muddle the blueberries by squashing with the back of a fork.
2. Combine with soda water and lemon juice in a serving glass.
3. Top with sparkling wine to serve.

86 calories per serve

Healthy Mummy happy hour tips

• Watch your portion sizes – just like you do with your food, be sure not to over pour your drinks as they can quickly add up.
• Alternate alcoholic drinks with water – it will help you in the morning as well as keep you in control
• Drinks to avoid include creamy cocktails (they are often huge and filled with, of course, cream), creamy drinks like Baileys, cocktails made with sugar syrup and pre-mixed drinks.
• Set yourself a limit – if you are going to a party why not tell yourself that you will enjoy 3 drinks and that’s it. Same goes with the canapés!
• Instead of making fruity punch, why not make a healthy iced tea, it’s super low calorie as well as being refreshing when served over ice.

More on the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge

Want access to thousands and thousands of healthy recipes that will help you to lose weight? Then be sure to check out our 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge.

Our 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge is a family-friendly, breastfeeding-safe program designed FOR MUMS to help them lose the baby weight. 

Every week you are given a different meal plan to follow and each month we add NEW recipes to our Challenge Recipe Hub. That way, you’ll never get bored and stay on weight loss track while digging into healthy, yummy recipes.

Learn more about our 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge HERE.

If you would like a sneak peek at some of the meals, snacks and exercises from the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge you can download our FREE recipe packs HERE.