Christmas! T’is the season to be happy!
It is also the season to gather and feast. But when hopping from suppers to brunches and enjoying drinks and meals with families and friends, it is sometimes hard to stay in shape without storing a couple of extra pounds (or kilos).
In order to avoid overeating, overdrinking, hangovers, runny noses – in short, to avoid that lethargic state which we all know at some point – here are some do’s and don’ts in order to stay nutritionally healthy during the festive season.
4 DON’TS
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Go easy on starters. Choose 2 or 3 varieties and try to ignore processed pastries and food prepared by the food industry. They are filled with salt, sugar, calories and bad fat, glutamate (and all sorts of impossible ingredients to pronounce). Opt for example for smoked salmon, hummus, veggies, salads, olives, or a piece of cheese. And we remember that a starter is only a starter and not the main meal.
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It is not necessary to eat everything that is set in front of you. When you are in front of a buffet or a full garnished table, choose wisely and think balancing protein, fiber, healthy fat 3-6-9, vegetables, vegetables, and vegetables. Tip: Eat veggies or salad at the beginning of the meal. You will fill yourself with good enzymes and end up eating less.
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Food is not to be stuffed with. Food is to be tasted and enjoyed. And remember to take your time to chew. It will allow your taste buds (we have 6 of them) to express themselves, and you will avoid getting bloated.
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Toasting is a joyful act but unfortunately, we tend to consume more alcohol than usual during this festive period. Not all alcohols are created equal, calorie wise. Consider red wine during the meal, for calorie count and polyphenol bonus.
7 DO’S
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Drink cheerfully this natural odorless, colorless and essential liquid: water. We don’t forget to hydrate ourselves even if it’s winter and we drink water abundantly during the day and in between meals and drinks. Tip: drink water before having appetizers in order to regulate your appetite and hence eat less.
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Get moving during the day. Exposing yourself to daylight and fresh air, walking, running, moving, or doing any physical activity that you enjoy will release endorphins, stimulate good mood and make you sleep well at night. 3 in 1, isn’t this great!
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Who sleeps dines. During the Holiday season, when not feasting here and there, get a good night sleep in order to stay slim (yes, slim!). Because during sleep, leptin (the satiety hormone) remains constant and on the other hand ghrelin (the hunger hormone) decreases. So the more you sleep, the less you want to eat!
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During the holidays, get some nutritional supplements such as multivitamins and enzymes. Alcohol (since we drink more than usual, as mentioned) has a tendency to disrupt the absorption of vitamins (especially B1) and minerals, thus weakening the immune system. So to keep flu and colds ou in the cold consider getting adequate supplements.
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Eat dark chocolate, I mean with 100% cacao, if you’re brave. Or 85%. Dark chocolate is antioxidant, contains fiber and magnesium and stimulates good mood (yess!). It is also a true appetite suppressant! Melt a small square of chocolate in your mouth and your appetite will decrease.
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If the morning after the evening, we’re in a lethargic state, we rest, pray, sing hymns (singing improves health), we meditate and listen to the Messiah of Handel.
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And… we stop to remember the true meaning of Christmas that has happened for a reason:
“Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
– The Bible, Matthew 1: 22-23
Christmas! T’is the season to be happy: God with us.
Anti-inflammatory spicy tea recipe
A sweet spicy tea for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, tonic, digestive and much more effect. You can make this tea even if you are missing an ingredient or two. Enjoy sipping it all day long.
Auteur / Author: Marie-Rose Avakian
Ingrédients / Ingredients
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 green cardamom beans
- 1 clove
1 star anise- 1 pinch turmeric or ⅛ tsp fresh turmeric
- 1 small slice of fresh ginger
- 500 ml water (2 C.)
Préparation / Preparation
- In a saucepan, boil water.
- Add all the spices.
- Simmer about 5 minutes.
- Strain the liquid and enjoy!
- Optional:
- You can add a date or a little honey for a sweet version.
- You can infuse tea or hibiscus at the end.
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