The silly season is well and truly upon us which means that our willpower is being tested… at every turn!
And, while being on our 8-Week Program during this time of year can be daunting, it’s not impossible! You’re probably thinking to yourself “why did I choose to quit sugar at this time of year?!” But, don’t be disheartened! We’re here to make your sugar-quitting journey as easy as possible.
Here’s how to stay sane during the festive season, while on the 8-Week Program…
1. Food, glorious food.
Christmas can often conjure up visions of food comas and unbuttoned pants, but it doesn’t have to be this way! In our humble opinion, food is the best part of the festive season but it’s easy to get carried away with it. To ensure that you don’t stuff yourself silly at every Christmas party you attend, simply eat before you go. If you’re heading to a sit-down dinner, then yes, eating a full meal beforehand is counterintuitive. But, if you know that the party you’re attending is simply a finger-food affair, then make sure to have a filling, nourishing meal before you attend. This will prevent you from filling up on nibbles and subsequently, overeating. Luckily, a lot of Christmas food is relatively healthy – we’re talking about roast turkey, ham, veggies and seafood (for those of us in the Southern Hemisphere!) – so stick to these options and you can’t go wrong!
2. How to handle falling off the sugar-free bandwagon.
Christmas is an event that only comes around once a year, so if you want to eat a piece of pav with your loved ones on the big day, don’t beat yourself up about it! The important thing to remember is that by beginning your sugar-quitting journey, you’ve taken a massive step towards improving your health. Your healthy intentions are there, so don’t let one piece of cake mentally derail the work you’ve put into changing your eating habits. Plus, you can make these killer sugar-free Cream Puff Pavs for the big day and ditch the guilt entirely!
However, if you do find yourself going a little overboard, just do your best to pull back and try to listen to your body. Portion sizes are often super-sized at Christmas, so mindfully eat one plate of food before diving in for seconds – are you still feeling hungry? Chances are, probably not.
3. How to get back into the swing of things on Boxing Day.
So, you went a little ham-crazy on Christmas Day? It happens! But instead of dwelling on it, simply jump back on the sugar-free bandwagon and keep going. The best way to kick off Boxing Day is with a hearty breakfast. So, grab your leftover turkey, ham and roast veggies and throw together a fry-up. Filling your plate with healthy fats, protein and veggies will set you up for the day and help to curb any pesky sugar cravings. Then, make sure you stay hydrated as sugar can leave you feeling extremely dehydrated.
Exercise might also be the last thing you want to do the day after Christmas, but a brisk walk or quick yoga session can make all the difference. Grab your family and go for a walk around the block. Not only will the endorphins leave you feeling fab, but studies have shown that physical activity can also help to suppress unhealthy food cravings.
4. What to drink.
Sugary drinks are an easy way to increase your fructose consumption over the Christmas period, so it’s important to make smart drink choices. But, this doesn’t mean you have to shy away from alcohol during the silly season. In fact, you can still enjoy the odd tipple when you quit sugar. Red wine, beer, and spirits like gin, vodka and whiskey are your best low-sugar options but, be careful what you’re mixing these with – always try to choose soda water as tonic is filled with the sweet stuff.
Conventional cocktails are also often brimming with sugar, so try to mix your own versions to sip on – The Ultimate Sugar-Free Cocktail is always a crowd-pleaser. Boost your water intake too by adding a little festive flair – try adding slices of lemon or lime and mint leaves.
5. Christmas can be even sweeter with no sugar!
Surviving Christmas sugar-free is surprisingly easy thanks to the plethora of healthy recipes we have available. And, there’s no need to feel deprived when quitting the sweet stuff, it’s just about changing your perspective. The easiest way to treat yourself (without going overboard) during the silly season is to bring food with you to parties. Offer to bring dessert or nibbles to your next Christmas shindig. This way you can dig into your cake knowing exactly what’s in it. Our Christmas Berry Swirl Cheesecake is always a winner for dessert, or whip up our crowd-pleasing Ultimate Sugar-Free Antipasto Platter to take along.
Got any other tips on how you swerve the sweet stuff over the holidays? Let us know in the comments below…
0 comments :
Post a Comment