OK, we admit it, the words ‘healthy’ and ‘Christmas’ may not be two words you’d normally expect to find in the same sentence. On Christmas Day alone, the average Canadian is likely to consume about 6,000 calories – about three times more than the daily average. If recent years are anything to go on, sales of wine and spirits in December are set to hit an annual peak as well.
We’ve come up with a few ideas to help you avoid all the festive over-indulgence, ensuring your holiday season is as healthy as it is happy.
Count the Christmas calories
It really is possible to have a great time at Christmas without piling on the pounds. Your menu choices at office Christmas dinners, parties and family gatherings may be huge, but that doesn’t mean you have to sample everything.
Try eating a normal-sized meal then taking a 20-minute break before jumping into dessert. The chances are, you’ll realize you’ve had enough. If you feel the need for something sweet, grab an apple or an orange. You don’t have to help yourself to candy every time you pass the Christmas tree! And if you have eaten a mega lunch, make sure you opt for a light supper, so your digestion isn’t working all night long.
Why not wrap up and head out for a brisk walk after your Christmas meal(s). Better still, lace up for a skate, go tobogganing or skiing, or just throw a few snowballs around with the kids. Making time for exercise at Christmas is all part of the festive fun.
Refusing that extra glass of prosecco or beer when the party is in full flow is often easier said than done. So, why not try a new strategy? Alternate alcoholic drinks with your favourite soft drink or, better still, a large glass of water. Above all, never drink and drive. Don’t risk the safety of yourself and others.
Keep colds at bay
Colds are rife around Christmas time. If you want to keep up your party stamina, you’ll need to maintain a healthy immune system. In the weeks leading up to the party season, fight off those unwanted germs by:
- Getting enough sleep.
- Avoiding smoking.
- Limiting the alcohol.
- Eating a healthy diet.
Check out Canada’s Food Guideto make sure you are eating foods from all four food groups.
Cook with care
Instances of food poisoning are often at their most concentrated over the holiday season. Here are a few tips to help minimize the risks when preparing, cooking, serving and storing food this Christmas:
- Turkey: always defrost it in the fridge slowly (timings as per label or vendor instructions). Don’t wash the bird. This only spreads bacteria around your kitchen. Any bacteria will be destroyed by cooking.
- Buffets: Only serve small amounts of food at a time. This ensures that what is on the table has only recently come out of the fridge or the oven.
- Eat then fridge: Don’t leave food out all day.
- Eat up or freeze: Try to use any leftovers within 48 hours or freeze them (if not previously frozen.)
Swerve the seasonal stress
This year, try to keep things in proportion. Not finding the time to clean every corner of your house or bake your own Christmas cake won’t matter when the big day finally arrives. Likewise, spending a little less on presents is much better for your mental health than all the worry of unpaid credit cards in the new year. Remember, sharing the season with the people you love is the most important thing at Christmas.
For AMG opening times over the holiday season, or simply more information on the health services we provide all year-round, call AMG at 519 873 1700. Until then, we wish you all a happy, healthy Christmas!