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Nutrition Tips to maintain your weight over Christmas

By qualified nutritional therapist and naturopath Caroline Peyton of Peyton Principles. Caroline has clinics in Wiltshire & the Cotswolds as well as online.

It’s that time of year when healthy eating often goes out of the window. We can start the New Year wondering why our will power failed us and how is it possible to gain half a stone in just a week? This will be even more relevant if we are restricted by Covid19.

The good news is that it doesn’t have to be all about will power and it doesn’t have to result in gaining so much weight.

If you don’t want to be missing out on the festive fun yet want to retain some control these are my eating suggestions for the holiday period:

Start the day with breakfast - it’s a mistake to avoid breakfast as it just results in over eating snacks like crisps, peanuts later in the morning.
When choosing breakfast include protein like scrambled eggs, smoked salmon or a special cheese. The protein really does keep you fuller for longer.
Don’t consume large amounts of starchy carbohydrates like croissants, toast and cereal. These starchy carbohydrates cause a quick sugar rush then leave you empty and reaching for those snacks you’re trying to avoid. It’s the starchy carbohydrates (and sugar) that causes weight gain.
The same rules apply to your main Christmas dinner. Put the vegetables and turkey on your plate first and then add some roast potatoes and two will do!
Try and encourage a pause between the main course and pudding and/or chocolates. Perhaps go for a walk. This allows your brain to recognise how full your stomach is so you’re less likely to over eat the sweet treats.
What to do about the chocolate tins?! There’s a temptation to have so many chocolates in the house that everyone just goes mad. But if there are less to start with it will hopefully encourage constraint.
Choose unsalted plain nuts rather than peanuts. These contain good healthy fats that we need.
When choosing alcohol remember that wine, champagne and spirits contain less calories than beer, cocktails and liqueurs (especially the cream varieties). Aim to intersperse with water to stay hydrated.
Try and include some walks over the Christmas period. Even getting out of the house for a short spell to keep moving is better than slouching on the sofa.