Watch the bulge this festive season

Citizens are advised not to let their healthy eating habit slip this festive season when they take things easy.

In a statement, Renny Letsoalo of company Cambridge Weight Plan said, “Usually the tendency to overeat goes up when in this state due to a never-ending amount of food and drink, tempting us to break our own health rules.”

He attributed this to a holiday tendency to reach for comfort food. “While most people overeat as a result of stress and not actual hunger, we are biologically wired to reach for comfort food when we are stressed and overwhelmed.

“But, the trick lies in breaking the connection between stress and food and replacing comfort eating with something else.”

He said with the season being a nerve-racking time the public should try to lose weight through the following:

• Put food on a smaller plate. Studies show that the bigger the plate, the more food people serve. Opt for the side plate to control your portions.
• Buy healthy snacks. Load the fridge with healthy options. Apples, yoghurt and fresh veggies ward off hunger pangs and stop eating out of boredom
• Keep exercising. Stay active and keep moving even if it’s for a short interval a day
• Start off strong. Start the day with a healthy breakfast. A bowl of cooked oats keeps one feeling fuller for longer and – reduces chances of overeating
• Limit alcohol intake. If you must drink, use a tall and narrow glass to drink less. Studies show that more liquid is consumed when using a short and wide glass.
• Avoid mindless eating. Don’t eat while distracted like when watching television. Seating at a table forces one to focus on the food and portion control.