One of our key beliefs at Vavista is that food should be seen as fuel, but also as a pleasure. And when is food a more essential part of our enjoyment and pleasure than over the festive season?!
We all want to lead a happy, healthy life, including staying at an ideal weight, or losing weight if we need to, without the misery of constant dieting. So, the last thing we want to be doing is counting the calories in our Christmas dinner or worrying about all the other indulgences that may not be top of the healthy list. Where’s the pleasure in that?!
So, to help you, we have put together five great tips that will let you approach the festive period in a healthy, guilt-free way – so there’s no need to jump on the ‘New Year Fad Diet’ bandwagon come January 1st.
Christmas is one day, not a month
It’s all too tempting to flip over the calendar to December and immediately take it as the green light to start scoffing mince pies (or even earlier, with Christmas confectionery in shops as early as September!). By restricting your indulgent treats to a few days over Christmas they will feel more special and you won’t have to feel guilty about that slice of Christmas cake!
Clever snacking
Instead of filling the house with tins of sugar-laden confectionery, why not stock up on nuts to crack, bowls of satsumas and dates. Equally as festive but with nutrients too! 
Move more
We know it’s tempting to curl up on the sofa and veg out in front of a marathon of festive flicks, but make sure you include one 40 minute active period each day. It could be a big walk with all the family before you sit down for lunch, or an excuse to escape a full house and and have a bit of fresh air while someone else does the washing up! You’ll feel better physically and mentally and work off a few of those calories too.
Gifts that love you back
Why not ask Father Christmas for gifts that are going to nurture your healthy habits? Consider a Fitbit Flex health tracker (they act as a pedometer, sleep monitor and health tracker, then sync to your phone/computer so you can chart your progress). Or perhaps you could do with a new cycle helmet, swimsuit or yoga mat to kickstart your new fitness plans? Or maybe a spa voucher so you can invest in a little ‘me time’ to reduce stress in the New Year.
Banish the bottle!
A surefire way to pile on the pounds – without a mince pie passing your lips – is to over-do it at the drinks cabinet over Christmas. Did you know a large glass of red (250ml) has the same calories as a slice of sponge cake – around 195 kcal? A few hours at a drinks party could be the equivalent of demolishing half a cake! Instead, try to stick to only drinking alcohol over a few special days and don’t over do it. Alternate your alcoholic drinks with water to space your drinks out and opt for clear spirits (vodka, gin etc) with slimline mixers over calorie-laden cream liqueurs, wines or beer.
So in a festive nutshell, allowing yourself a little of what you fancy – and keeping your main indulgences for a few days only – will let you enjoy that seasonal fare and still feel good about yourself. And feeling good about yourself means you’re less likely to overindulge, and more likely to stick to sensible limits. Which all adds up to a nut-cracking Christmas time!
