Christmas - How to indulge minus the bulge

Christmas is fast approaching, and with that comes a month of celebrating. No matter what your cultural background, food is likely to be a major feature at all events! The tips below are aimed at letting you rejoice in the spirit of Christmas, while keeping true to yourself. Christmas treats are important, denying yourself will only make you crave them more. Enjoy them when you eat them, however keep in mind the balance of treats and foods that truly nourish you.

Tip 1: Do as the kids do

• This tip is really easy to do, just choose a smaller plate when preparing your lunch or dinner. With a smaller plate there is less room for food (don't keep filling up though), so you will think carefully about what you want on that plate.
  
  
• A handy reminder of plate proportions, your dinner plate should be filled like this:
  • ½ of the plate should be made up of salad or non starchy vegetables 
  • ¼ of the plate should be carbohydrates such as rice/potato/corn or pasta
  • The remaining ¼ of the plate should be filled with lean protein such as beef/turkey/chicken/fish or a meat alternative such as beans or legumes.