LIFESTYLE: Escaping the Christmas bulge

The festive season is almost here and for most people this means taking a well deserved rest from hustle and bustle of their daily lives.

Some of the highlights Newcastillians can look forward to during the holiday season is taking in the sun while at the pool, enjoying time with family and friends, and of course, indulging in tasty Christmas lunches and braais.

“Many people are really strict during the year and follow a low carb eating plan and getting lots of exercise, but in December many of these resolutions tend to fly out the window,” said Vivienne Cameron, Director of Met-S Care.

However, Ms Cameron said the festive season need not be a worry if people follow this simple, five point Festive Season Feast Survival Guide.

1. Watch your choice of food groups:

Always try to consume as little carbs as possible, while keeping protein consumption at a moderate level. It is also important to remember that fats are not the enemy, but rather a good friend.

2. Research recipes:

There are thousands of low-carb recipes available on the internet, ranging from salads, breads, and ice-creams, to desserts. With several retailers catering for healthy living, there are low-carb alternatives for almost anything you could want. For those with a sweet tooth, you are allowed sugar-free chocolate and sweet substitutes.

3. The cup is never half empty:

Stop thinking about all of the things you can’t have and start thinking about all of the things you can. Less than a decade ago we were worrying about fat on a lamb chop, which we can now enjoy.

What we have to watch out for now are carbs, but luckily for us there are lots of alternatives. Find your ‘substitute’ and you won’t need to deprive yourself. These days many suppliers have low-carb alcohol options. Instead of eating chips maybe consider biltong, nuts and aubergine chips.

4. Never let your stomach do the thinking:

Don’t just eat, as overeating is often a case of either boredom, stress or just plain indulgence. Be aware of what you are eating and if you have the choice of a healthier alternative, take it. If you aren’t hungry, don’t eat. But most importantly, conscious eating is what will keep you on track from meal to meal. If you would like to have dessert, opt for a low-carb dessert, rather than an ice cream drowning in chocolate sauce.

5. You are not a machine:

While it might sound cliché, ‘deprivation leads to binging’. If you can manage to make the right food choices 99 per cent of the time, you deserve to indulge on the occasion. If you usually have a piece of chocolate on Christmas Eve, don’t deny yourself, have it, but make the decision to have two pieces instead of 10.

Healthy Christmas food ideas to avoid the bulge this festive season:

Christmas Cheese

• Using cheeses, olives, cherry tomatoes, basil and pesto, create your own Cheesy Christmas tree on a platter.
• Can be complimented with Life Bake Grain-Free Crackers

Cherries dipped in melted chocolate

• Break up the chocolate bar and place the pieces in a heatproof bowl.
• In a pot, bring some water to the boil.
• Place the heatproof bowl into the boiling water and stir until the chocolate is melted.
• Dip cherries into the melted mixture and set aside to cool.

Fresh fruit Christmas Tree

• Cut off the top of an apple and remove the core using an apple corer – place on a tray (this is your base).
• Stick a carrot through the centre of the apple, vertically.
• Stick toothpicks through the carrot (the base of the branches).
• Using kiwis and berries, dress the branches using the toothpicks to hold them up.

Eggnog

• Combine 300ml coconut milk, cloves, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract and cinnamon in a pot, and let simmer on a low heat for five minutes, slowly bringing to the boil.
• In a bowl, mix together egg yolks and sweetener. Whisk together until fluffy.
• Add the hot coconut milk mixture slowly into the eggs.
• Pour back into the pot and let simmer over a medium heat for three minutes, constantly stirring (do not bring to boiling point).
• When thickened, strain the mixture to remove cloves and let cool for about an hour.
• Stir in cream, two teaspoons vanilla essence and nutmeg.
• Refrigerate for 12 hours.