By Dr. Daffodils Guevarra
For Food Trip Magazine
During this festive season, it’s really difficult to steer clear of all those parties where sumptuous food is served.
To stay fit during the holidays has always been a challenge. People tend to overeat or overload on sweets and carbohydrates.
So, to stay fit and keep the unwanted extra weight to a minimum, here are a few tips:
- If you can, continue on your exercise schedule, as you would do on a regular day. If you have regular weekend cycling or running, try to keep that schedule even during this season.
- As for indulging in those delicious meals served at Christmas gatherings and New Year’s Eve parties and Eves, I believe in…
Chew, chew, chew. Chew your food slowly. Aside from the fact that you get to savor the taste of your food, more chewing means you absorb more nutrients and energy from the meal. By the time you’ve swallowed some, you already feel full.
Drink, drink, drink. Some people drink water before meals. This will help fill your tummy and you will feel full after just a couple of bites.
Move, move, move. Ultimately, the best way to keep fit during the holidays is to increase your physical activity. There’s no shortcut here. You have to burn all those calories by simply doing regular aerobic exercise.
Lastly, choose, choose, choose. This is the hardest part because once you’re in front of the food table, your tummy is all set to eat all that’s being prepared. So, if you can, choose to eat more vegetables and fruits. Go for the lean meats, lean fish, and low-fat options, if any.
- Also, try intermittent fasting – 16 hours of fasting, eight hours of eating (16:8). Time the break of your fast during party or eating time. You won’t feel guilty because you’ve fasted for 16 hours!
Have a healthy, hearty, happy Christmas!
(Dr. Daffodils Guevarra is a seasoned medical practitioner working for the past 13 years at Prime Medical Center’s Reef Mall Deira branch. Doc Daffodils used to be a 94-kg obese, diabetic who’d go out of breath after climbing just two flights of stairs. How she turned her life around is another story coming up in the next edition of Food Trip Magazine. Stay tuned.)