Fight your festive food demons

Here’s how to beat some of the common Christmas diet downfalls…

By Caroline Jones

“I’m bound to gain weight at Christmas, so I might as well do it in style.”
If you convince yourself that you’re sure to pile on the pounds then it will become a self-fulfilling prophecy. What you’re actually doing is letting yourself off the hook and giving yourself the go-ahead to gorge without guilt.

Fight it: Don’t cave in – devise a plan of action and follow a couple of easy food rules to stop you overeating. For example, you could decide to allow yourself one treat a day, or to promise that whatever happens you’ll fit in a 20-minute brisk walk every day.

“It’s impossible not to overeat at parties”
Whether out of politeness, habit or too much wine you fill your plate again, again and again – then wake up feeling bloated and guilty the next day.

Fight it: Don’t turn up starving. Eat before you get there – have something light and healthy but filling, like poached egg on toast, before you go and you’ll find it much easier to exercise self-control. Once there, you only need one rule regarding the buffet spread: only fill your plate once.

“It’s Christmas, which means chocolates and a cheese board every day until every leftover is finished.”
Christmas Day is one thing but letting that indulgent food pattern seep into the rest of the holidays is just asking to pile on weight.

Fight it: Give away all but a small box of chocs and send guests home with doggie bags containing cheese and cake, so you won’t be tempted every time you open the fridge.

“I can’t say no to Auntie Jane’s food – it’s rude”
You eat everything you’re given over the holidays – including seconds – and can’t wriggle your oversized hips into your jeans come January.

Fight it: Don’t be afraid to say “no thanks”. If you’re polite, the hostess won’t take offence. It’s fine to say: “That was absolutely delicious but I’m full."

“My diet starts in January, so I should make the most of Christmas”
Knowing there’s a restrictive eating plan on the horizon encourages you to binge, as feast-or-famine mode takes over.

Fight it: Aim to eat generally healthily but with a few treats over Christmas, so you get most of the fun without the weight gain, and your life will be so much easier come the New Year. Because let’s face it, January is a tough month...

Source: Daily Mirror