The nutritionist explains how to enjoy the variety of delicious dishes during the Christmas holidays without neglecting your health
The holidays can pose a big challenge for those who need to control their intake of fatty or sugary foods. The festive climate can encourage excessive consumption of these foods, upsetting the eating routine built up throughout the year.
According to nutritionist Ana Luisa Vilela, a weight-loss specialist from the capital of Sao Paulo, the “I’ll enjoy it now and fix it later” mentality during the holidays can be detrimental to healthy eating.
“This thinking leads to overindulgence that not only overloads the body, but also increases anxiety and difficulty returning to a healthy routine,” she explains. According to her, it’s the small steps and adjustments that can make a big difference.
Balanced diet
Taking care of your diet during the holidays is not as difficult as you might think. Increasing your water consumption, especially before celebrations, helps your body process excesses better, as well as always filling half your plate with salads and vegetables, which also helps balance high-calorie meals.
“It’s not just parties that make you gain weight, but also excess calories consumed regularly that cause weight gain, which is why it’s worth starting now, because every healthy choice, even if occasional, contributes to long-term health”, explains Ana Luisa Vilela.
The doctor also emphasizes that it is not about restrictions, but about balance and moderation, you can try all the options that appear at parties, but it is important to watch the portion size. “Even seasonal staples, like sparkling wine or wine, are better options than sugary cocktails,” he says.
For those who want to start taking care of their diet immediately, Ana warns not to be radical, but to make conscious choices that promote well-being. “The important thing is to remember that health is an ongoing process and every step counts, as a balanced approach reduces peaks in weight gain and loss,” he concludes.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.