On average, Australians gain 0.8-1.5kg over the Christmas period, and researchers have identified that this weight is rarely lost! This weight mainly occurs around the trunk, which is associated with an increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
So why not follow the following tips to help prevent you purchasing a larger belt in the new year.
- Eat something light before heading out to a party, thereby reducing your chances of snacking on high calorie food.
- Watch your portion sizes by using a smaller plate of food instead of a dinner sized plate. This is great if you are the type of person that likes to finish everything in front of them.
- Fill up with foods at the bottom of the Healthy Eating Pyramid (eg. Vegetables, legumes, fruit and grain foods).
Great party food to enjoy
- Vegetable sticks, pretzels, rice crackers
- Hummus, beetroot, tzatziki, avocado dip
- Sushi
- Sandwiches, quiches
- Fruit salad with yoghurt
Naughty party food to limit
- Creamy dips
- Pies, sausage rolls, spinach triangles
- Chips, corn chips
- Lollies, candy canes, chocolates
- Cakes and slices with cream
It’s also important to limit your alcohol intake, as over-consuming can lead to weight gain. According to the Department of Health and Ageing, for healthy men and women, drinking no more than two standard drinks in any day reduces your risk of harm from alcohol-related disease or injury over a lifetime.
“On average, Australians gain 0.8-1.5kg over the Christmas period! This weight mainly occurs around the trunk, which is associated with an increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease..“
If you choose to drink
- Watch your serving size.
- Be careful with top-ups. Topping up your glass can lead to you losing count of the amount you have been drinking.
- Alternate one alcoholic drink with one non-alcoholic drink such as water.
EXERCISE, EXERCISE, EXERCISE (if you can)!!
- Get a gym membership.
- Set yourself a challenge for the new year (yes, it’s called a new year resolution, but this time seriously go for it).
- Run around with the kids at home.
So, there we are, some useful tips on how to safely and enjoyably get through the joyful season. Take it easy and don’t succumb to gluttony.
Lastly, the Warwick Friendly Society Pharmacies would like to send out a massive THANK YOU to all our wonderful loyal customers that stick by our side and support us all year round. We would also like to thank all the people we deal with on a day to day basis that enable us to deliver the best health services we can. Thank you to all our dedicated staff that work hard every single day for us to operate a service that is essential and appreciated by the local community and surrounds.
Have a very Merry Christmas and we shall see you in the New Year.
