Christmas and the weeks before and after can bring out the best and the worst in all of us – fun, parties, catching up with friends, Christmas shopping, 11th hour car park rage, being over- indulgent with alcohol, not enough sleep and too much food. Sound familiar? If you’re confused about striking the right balance with eating, you need to read and repeat our Sub of the Month’s mantras:
About our expert:
Deb Blakley is the November Sub of the Month and a highly experienced community nutritionist, dietitian and mum who is passionate about kids learning to love good food from birth and beyond. Deb has worked on community nutrition initiatives as diverse as breastfeeding promotion and food security. Make sure you jump across and “like” Deb’s brand new facebook page Kids Dig Food. She’ll be sharing all her practical tips and nutrition news to help you grow happy, healthy kids.
I love Christmas! I love the lead up, the shopping and the preparation. I enjoy catching up with friends and family – it’s all about good food and good company. I heartily enjoyed making my first traditional Christmas pudding with my sister-in-law using her Ma-Ma’s recipe a few weeks ago and I especially delight in planning the perfect meal.
Wouldn’t it be fantastic though to enjoy the Christmas holidays without the guilt? Of a too-full tummy at the end of every BBQ and party? Of weight gain? Of skipping those gym sessions? Of cranky kids with too many sweet treats? I have made a pledge to follow a new strategy these holidays, whether it’s a BBQ or the traditional Christmas feast – I’m going to enjoy EVERYTHING about the meal. The company, the laughter, the joy and of course the food by following these mantras. Repeat after me:
I will keep the family meal and snack time routine
As much as possible over the holidays I will aim to keep meals and snacks at regular times, and watch out for constant grazing or a month long party. I do not need to buy mince pies for extra treats, just because they are in the shops in November. I will plan a healthy, lighter meal before a night out, so the kids don’t fill up on the chip bowl.
I will embrace the changing seasons
I’m going to immerse the family in fresh and nutritious seasonal foods. We will visit the local farmer’s market or supermarket to explore all the seasonal produce that may be unfamiliar and I will encourage my daughter in touching, smelling, preparing and tasting these delights. I will focus on fruit or veg based options as snacks for the whole month of December and re-gift those boxes of chocolates and shortbreads.
I will come to the dinner table with a healthy appetite
When at a party, gathering or event I want to be hungry when I get to the meal and savour the carefully prepared fare like slow roasted meats and artfully layered trifle. I’ll be mindful of the pre-dinner nibbles as I can get chips, dips and crackers anytime. I’ll enjoy just enough to take the edge off, but not dull my appetite, or skip them altogether.
I will select a delicious variety of food when I get to the table
When it’s time for the meal, I’ll take time to survey the feast and only the food I really want to savour and enjoy will end up on my plate. I will focus on quality like beautiful smoked salmon or prawns, not quantity. I don’t have to eat everything that’s on display, right then and there. There are always leftovers or another invite. I will not deprive myself of dessert if I really want it, nutrition research shows it will only make me crave it more, but I can select a smaller slice.
I will offer to take my signature salad
If the party invites are clocking up like pressies under the tree, I will alter my eating behaviours. I can eat a lighter breakfast, lunch or evening meal and offer to take some healthy staples and stick to these.
I will leave feeling satisfied, not stuffed like the turkey
I need to take notice of my cues of hunger and fullness. I will try to slow down and savour each mouthful, enjoy the other acts of sharing a meal – conversation, sip of wine, company of friends and family. I will allow children to finish eating when they feel full and not force them to “lick the plate clean”.
I will stay active and perhaps move a little more
I WILL maintain my exercise routine and not slack off because life gets busy. I will even try and do a bit more if I can, to counter the festivities. I will role model healthy habits and our family will use the holidays and great Aussie summer to swim more, walk more and enjoy the great outdoors more. Perhaps we’ll play backyard cricket at my BBQ? I will give kids active gifts like skipping ropes, balls and flippers, plan activities outdoors and retain limits on screen time.
I will get the most out of each holiday experience
I will focus on slowing down, putting off some of my to do list, making space in my calendar, not cramming in more. I will make time for quality catch ups with good company and conversation and not drag the family around town. I will make time just for my kids. And just for me. And I will ditch the food guilt. I CAN embrace the tasty food that December brings – succulent ham, Christmas puddings, roasted seasonal vegetables, crisp salads and cherries, nectarines, plums and peaches galore. These are all good foods for a very good time of the year.
Editor’s comment:
Thanks Deb, it’s been so great having you on board this month. I think your mantras are just perfect. We can lose focus on the reason for the season and we do carry such guilt over food and eating. How about you lovely readers? What are your mantras or top tips for silly season survival?
