Navigating the holiday season while maintaining your fitness goals can be challenging, but it is possible to enjoy festive meals without derailing your progress. Here’s a guide on how to approach eating during Christmas while keeping your health and fitness in mind:
Foods to prioritise:
- Turkey: Low in fat and high in protein, turkey is an excellent choice for your main course. Opt for white breast meat without the skin to keep fat content low.
- Fish: Consider serving fish for your Christmas Eve meal as a healthier alternative.
- Vegetables: Fill at least a third to half of your plate with a variety of vegetables. Try dishes like:
- Hazelnut & mustard carrots
- Stir-fried festive cabbage
- Tangy chicory salad
- Whole grains: Choose wholegrain bread or sourdough for breakfast or with meals.
- Fruit-based desserts: Opt for fruit salads or desserts incorporating fruit to increase fibre intake.
Foods to moderate
- Roast potatoes: While delicious, they are high in fat. Consider having fewer and complementing with boiled potatoes.
- Stuffing: Choose nut-based stuffings over traditional high-fat versions.
- Gravy: Opt for a healthier, low-fat gravy made without meat drippings.
- Cheese: If indulging, choose stronger flavoured cheeses so that you can have smaller portions.
Calorie Awareness
- Lower calorie options: Turkey breast, vegetables, fruit-based desserts, and soups like celeriac, hazelnut & truffle soup.
- Higher calorie options: Roast potatoes, traditional stuffing, creamy sauces, and cheese.
Fitness and Nutrition plan
- Maintain your routine: Don’t skip meals before or after Christmas dinner. Stick to your usual breakfast, lunch, and dinner schedule to keep your metabolism stable.
- Balance your plate: Aim for a mix of protein (like turkey), vegetables, and some complex carbohydrates.
- Stay hydrated: Drink water throughout the day, especially if consuming alcohol.
- Keep moving: Go for a walk after your Christmas meal to aid digestion and maintain activity.
Enjoying yourself sensibly
- Practice moderation: You can enjoy treats, but balance them with healthier options.
- Be mindful of portion sizes: Enjoy everything, but in smaller amounts.
- Choose your indulgences: Pick the treats you really love and savour them, rather than eating everything available.
- Don’t stress: One day of indulgence won’t undo your progress. Enjoy the festivities and return to your routine afterwards.
Remember, the key is balance. Enjoy the special foods of the season while being mindful of your overall health and fitness goals. This approach will make it easier to resume your training routine after the festive season without feeling like you’ve taken a major step backward.
A Personal Trainer is an investment in your health and well-being that can lead to long-term positive effects on your fitness, confidence, and overall health. PT Hale prides itself on being a social and safe space where you can work out individually, or with like-minded people to get the results that you want and deserve – LET’S GO!
