It's a well-known fact: the holidays are conducive to weight gain. Find out how to avoid it.

Enjoy the pleasures of the palate

With the holidays just around the corner, the child in you tingles with anticipation at the prospect of all the wonderful things to come. There are a thousand and one reasons to rejoice, marvel and treat yourself. You intend to have some fun with the people you cherish, while you wait to ring in the New Year.

You can already taste the mouth-watering buffets, enticing desserts, your aunt Betty’s legendary meat pie, and that celebratory glass of bubbly from your brother-in-law. But let’s face it, that little voice inside your head might not be feeling so festive when you step on the scale come January!

All the effort you have sustained during the year to stay lean and fit can be compromised during the holidays. At the same time, don't you deserve to spoil yourself after such a hectic year? How can you find a middle ground between the allowances granted by the epicurean in you and an overload of restrictions dictated by a guilty conscience?

Making good choices for yourself

Yes, it is quite possible to benefit fully from the holidays without having to pay the price later on. You can make winning choices to delight your taste buds, while you appease your conscience. It's up to you. It requires some measure of will, awareness and foresight.

Here are a some tips to benefit fully from the holidays, without weight gain.

1. Drink plenty of water. A lot of drinks like soda and alcohol contain a ton of sugar and calories, and are a major factor when it comes to weight gain. Try to keep this in mind and drink with moderation. Sipping drinks slowly will let you savour them fully and limit their impact on your waistline!
   
   
2. Limit your portion sizes. If you love good food, you can still taste everything on offer, but try sticking to smaller portions and don’t skimp on variety. That way, you won’t feel like you’re depriving yourself of anything.
   
   
3. Take the time to savour each bite. When your plate is full, it's tempting to stuff large bites into your mouth or to eat fast. Make sure you do the opposite! Take a break from the fast-paced world we live in and take the time to savour your food. This will give your brain a chance to send you a message at the appropriate time that you are full, and prevent you from overeating.
   
   
4. Make smart food choices. Some foods are less forgiving than others, calorie-wise. It’s better to snack on raw veggies and salads before dinner, for example, than on sweet snacks. In addition to getting more vitamins, your stomach will feel fuller by the time you get to dessert and your portions will be more reasonable.
   
   
5. Don’t skip meals. Some people skip breakfast or lunch so that they can eat more later on, at get-togethers with family or friends. But it’s never a good idea to skip meals. You’ll probably end up consuming more calories at dinner, which your body will then store to compensate for the meal you skipped. The trick is to eat sensibly at breakfast, lunch and dinner.
   
   
6. Exercise. Ski, skate, go for a walk, dance—exercising will help you burn off the calories you may have accumulated over the past few days, and it will help you relax. If you have an exercise plan during the year, don't forget to make time to pursue it, despite the numerous parties.
   
   
7. Try not to focus on the food. A well dressed and decorated table is very appealing, but there are so many opportunities to enjoy this time of year: the tree, music, decorations, joyful children, etc. You also get the chance to catch up with those you don't get to see regularly during the year, but that you like to spend time with. Focus on these occasions and take full advantage of life and enjoy it!

Speak to your pharmacist for advice on the ways to stay healthy during the holiday season.