Is there anything more important than sharing beautiful food with friends and family during the festive season? Food is undeniably at the heart of holiday celebrations. And there is no reason why you shouldn’t enjoy your favourite treats. 

Here are a few tips about how you can be more mindful about your meals – eat all the great foods without feeling overly stuffed! 

All those green side dishes are great! If you fill half your plate with vegetables, you have two advantages: lots of fibre filling you up and fewer calories on your plate. Choose salads, roasted, stir-fried or steamed vegetables.

Don’t overdo the starchy foods: anything starchy from pasta to dinner rolls, from rice to potatoes, should be no more than the size of a fist. 

One quarter of your plate should be lean protein: Choose turkey/chicken breast, beef tenderloin, white or fatty fish etc. 

Be careful with sauces and spreads like gravy, stuffing, and cranberry sauce because they’re usually high in sugar, salt and fat. Aim for 2-3 tablespoons

Get one small portion of dessert. Mindfully savour each bite of Christmas pudding or mince pie by chewing slowly and really tasting your food and don’t get back for a second helping. 

Move as much as possible: wrap up warm and go for a walk. Maybe you are lucky and have some snow – what’s better than a snowball fight to lift your spirits? 

Most of all, have fun, and enjoy the time! 

Merry Christmas!