One of the best things about Christmas is the mountains of gorgeous food that abound. But it's easy to over-indulge and suffer the consequences. So we asked an expert for some tips to help us eat well and minimise the damage.
Sally Yench is a spokesperson for the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) and an accredited practicing dietitian, based in Launceston, Tasmania.
"It's okay to have one day of decadence on Christmas Day, but the festive season stretches from as early as November to well into the new year," she says. "So here are some tips to help keep your waistline in check, avoid hangovers and have the energy for that all-important afternoon backyard cricket match."
1. At Christmas parties, stand a little away from the food table. If you're right next to it, you'll constantly graze without realising it. Eating will become an automatic response. But if you're further away, you'll have to make a trek for something to eat.
2. Space alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic alternatives like mineral water with fruit. This will help prevent hangovers and stop you making too much of a fool of yourself. You'll enjoy the festivities and fun, but without the negative consequences of too much alcohol.
3. Enjoy the great foods available during this season, like stone fruits and berries, which are full of antioxidants, fibre, vitamins and minerals. Dark chocolate (though not too much) is also packed full of antioxidants, which are great for your heart. Nuts, as long as they're as nature intended (fresh and not roasted and packed with salt), are also healthy options. Then there's our wonderful seafood, as long as it's not battered and deep-fried. Grilling and barbecuing are the healthiest cooking options. Oily fish (salmon and blue fin tuna) contain more omega three fatty acids, so are probably your best choice, though all seafood is fairly low in fat.
4. Try to do some exercise daily. This can be as gentle as a walk around the streets to see the neighbourhood Christmas decorations or a little more active, like backyard cricket. Daily exercise will give you an energy boost and help your body process food and alcohol.
5. Have smaller helpings of your favourite foods, eat slowly and enjoy it. You don't have to eat the whole pavlova now ... there will always be pavlovas in the world!
How much is too much?
Sally says that a sure sign you've over-indulged on Christmas Day is if you feel you simply don't have the energy to get up and play with the kids. "You won't enjoy the day to the full if you don't feel like playing."
Related video: Watch the Christmas Detox video at the top of the page for some natural ways to do a liver detox and to make sure it's in top shape just in case it's given a bit of a Christmas party work-out.
