Safe to say, we’ve officially entered the silly season.
The year is winding up, the weather’s getting warmer (in Australia at least) and the party invites are flooding in. Which means you’ll probably soon be faced with sugary temptations from every which way!
So how do you navigate your way through the upcoming celebrations? Stay calm, we’ve got some tips to get you through.
Sugar-free party food.
How good is party food? Everything is so small and unassuming, a bite here, a nibble there… before you know it, you’ve eaten two dinners’ worth of food off a crumpled napkin!
To avoid the napkin binge, eat a nutrient-dense meal before you head out (think plenty of veg, proteins and healthy fats). Then, rather than banning yourself from party nibbles altogether (it IS a party, after all!), consume them mindfully. We’d steer clear of:
- Caramelised, balsamic or glazed anything.
- Dipping sauces.
- Meat marinades – lamb cutlets are a great option but ask what they’re marinated in before tucking in. This goes for chicken wings too!
- Barbecue, sweet chilli and tomato sauces.
- Sushi platters – unfortunately, the rice is full of sugar.
And opt for:
- Quiches and frittatas.
- Grilled meats (as long as they’re not marinated).
- Sashimi.
- Vegetable crudités with hummus, tzatziki, or guacamole. Yum!
- Cheese plates (just give the muscatels and quince paste a miss).
- Olives.
- Mixed nuts.
Tips for low-sugar boozing.
The healthier drinks to sip on when you’re out and about?
- Alcohol-free is always going be your safest bet. Soda or plain mineral with a squeeze of lemon or lime is surprisingly satisfying. We love asking the bartender to jazz it up with a slice of cucumber and some fresh mint.
- Clear spirits like vodka and gin mixed with soda water and fresh lemon and lime are probably the lowest sugar alcoholic drinks you’re going to get. One of our favourite combos is gin, soda and fresh cucumber. Stay clear of sugary soft drinks and tonic water.
- Wine isn’t as full of sugar as many people would believe. It’s the fructose in the grapes that ferments to become alcohol. Red wine is a better option than white. A glass or two is fine.
- A beer or two is also a safe-ish option… say what? The sugar in beer and stout is maltose, which we can metabolise fine.
But remember…
- Although alcohol is low in fructose, it’s still not great for you. We recommend staying well hydrated when drinking.
- Another red flag when it comes to boozing? It can make it harder to make sensible food choices. You’re far more likely to reach for that piece of cake after a few drinks. Just something to keep in mind…
What about the sweet treats?
Can’t say no to a slice of Mum’s famous cake? Don’t beat yourself up. Choose your treats mindfully and stick to things you know you’ll enjoy. Then just get right back to healthy eating.
Special occasions like Christmas are just that… special. If a glass of champagne with friends is part of the celebration then take part, it’s about being aware not being overly regimented.
We also like to take along our own sugar-free sweet treats when we go to parties. They’re always a hit and people don’t know the difference most of the time!
We originally published this post in September 2013. We updated it in December 2016.
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