For many Hong Kong people, eating and drinking is the focus of festive season celebrations. When facing vast amounts of delicious foods and snacks, many people could not resist the temptaion and end up eating too much, thus putting on weight.
Health Alert
The amount of weight gain during each holiday period may seem trivial. However, such extra weight is likely to retain, accumulate and finally become a major contributor to substantial increase in body weight.
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Practical Tips for Eating During Festive Seasons
To prevent unwanted holiday weight gain and avoid an expanding waistline, health-conscious people should know about the 'party fat trap', be prepared to overcome festive diet temptations and adhere to healthy eating principles. The following are some suggestions for keeping your weight in check when celebrating festive seasons, no matter eating at home or eating out.
Choose low fat, low sugar, low salt and high fibre foods
- Choose lean meat and trim off all visible fats. Remove skin from poultry.
- Go for extra portion of vegetables instead of meat.
- Limit consumption of processed meat, such as ham, sausages and salami.
- Opt for steamed, grilled, baked or roasted dishes instead of deep-fried foods.
- Avoid adding extra sugars to foods and reduce the amount of sugars used in recipes.
- Avoid fat-laden desserts. Use fresh and dried fruits as the basis of festive desserts.
- Snack on fruit, raw vegetables (such as cherry tomatoes, baby carrots, cucumber or celery sticks), unsalted nuts or wheat crackers instead of chips, chocolate bars, cakes and sweets.
Eat the right way
- Always start the day with a healthy breakfast as eating breakfast can help regulate appetite and increase metabolism.
- Do not starve ourselves before going to cocktail functions, parties or dinners. If feeling hungry, you can have some low-fat, healthy snacks in advance as to prevent feeling ravenous and eating everything in sight.
Keep portions in check and eat slowly
- Be aware of overeating, especially when eating in the presence of family and friends during such joyful moments.
- Use a smaller plate to moderate portion. Order regular portion size meals or share meals with friends.
- When faced with a lavish buffet of festive delicacies, eat a little of each dish for more variety. Stand or sit well away from the food table as to make more efforts in getting food.
- Be assertive to say 'no, thank you. I am really full' when offered second helpings or fattening treats.
- Eat slowly as it allows you to feel full sooner and then eat less. Stop eating as soon as you feel full. Do not feel obliged to clean the plate.
Choose beverages wisely
- Limit alcohol, soft drinks and other sweetened beverages.
- Choose water (plain or sparkling), Chinese tea or clear soup as to reduce intake of extra liquid calories substantially.
During festive seasons