How to stay slim during the holidays

Tip 1: Enjoy the three holidays

There are three holidays coming up: Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Eve. Enjoy those days. If you only let the reins tighten on those days, it really won't hurt your weight loss process.

It will hamper your weight loss process and health if you also feast on New Year's rolls, oliebollen, Christmas wreaths and other sweets outside those days. In addition, it can cause you to have lower energy levels, feel less comfortable and sleep worse. So take advantage of the three holidays to enjoy yourself to the fullest.

Tip 2: Don't skip meals

Is there an extensive Christmas dinner waiting for you in the evening? Then you might think it's better to skip your lunch. Don't do that! Instead, opt for a healthy lunch or snack. For example, a salad with chicken and vegetables, a well-filled homemade soup or an egg wrap with vegetables.

If you start Christmas dinner starving, chances are you'll eat and snack a lot more than if you're feeling full. In addition, saying “no” to unhealthy snacks is a lot easier if you don't fall off your spine.

Tip 3: Leave processed products alone

70% of the products in supermarkets are highly processed and 80% of the products in the supermarket are unhealthy. These unhealthy foods often contain added sugars, potentially harmful E numbers and other unhealthy additives. You can recognize them by long lists of ingredients that are difficult to pronounce. These products prevent weight loss and are bad for your health

You can also find many edited options during the holidays. Like ready-to-eat mashed potatoes, sauces and pre-packaged salads. Leave these products alone and opt for fresh products and home-cooked meals.

Tip 4: Use small plates

During the holidays, the choice is often huge and overeating is lurking. By keeping an eye on your portions, you prevent yourself from consuming unnecessary calories and you don't feel like you're exploding after eating.

The easiest way to control your portions: use a small plate. As a result, you automatically eat less and you gradually feel full.

Tip 5: Isn't it your favorite? Don't eat it!

It's a shame to eat in calorie bombs that you don't even really like.

Only eat snacks that you really enjoy. This saves calories and makes you feel fuller.

Tip 6: Opt for delicious and healthy

We often have the association that unhealthy eating is “more fun” than eating healthy. But eating healthy can also be a real treat. Think fresh tapenades, tuna salad and a bowl of grilled vegetables in all colors of the rainbow with a slim dip. Festive, delicious and good for you.

Tip 7: Be aware of what you eat

We are often so busy chatting and distracting that we unconsciously eat our food. By eating with attention, you can taste all the goodies a lot better and you will feel more quickly that you have eaten enough.

Tip 8: Plan meals and snacks

Going to the supermarket on spec, especially when you're hungry, is never a good idea. And at this time of year when the shelves are bursting with goodies, that approach is completely a danger to the number on the scale.

The solution is simple: plan your meals and snacks and only get the groceries you need. This prevents you from doubting all the temptations you encounter in the various aisles. Good for your weight and your wallet.

Tip 9: Surprise the host/hostess

Bring your favorite healthy snack or meal when you eat with someone. This way, you can be sure that you have a super delicious and healthy option, and you will also make the host or hostess happy.

Tip 10: A healthy breakfast is half the work

Maybe you know it: you start your day with a chocolate croissant, a slice of sugar bread with butter and a glass of fresh gravy. Then you are constantly hungry and stinging all day long.

A healthy breakfast makes your life a lot easier if you want to lose weight. It ensures that you feel satiated and have less urge to snack during the day. Take Greek yoghurt with nuts, fruit and seeds, for example, or make a healthy smoothie.

Tip 11: Start with green (too)

First fill your plate with vegetables at lunch and (Christmas) dinner. This creates a healthy soil that reduces the chance that you will eat unnecessarily much afterwards. Supplement your vegetables instead of using vegetables as a supplement.

Tip 12: Pass the basket (stick) of bread

You can keep eating in (stick) bread. This gives you a lot of calories (half a baguette contains about 400 calories, plus the spreads). In addition, your body produces more insulin when you eat white bread, which leads to extra appetite and fat storage.

In addition to the basket of baguette, bread also comes into play at other times. Think of the slices of bread that you dip into the soup or eat with a salad. Omit it (as much as possible) to prevent extra fat storage and bloating.

Tip 13: Be careful with sauces

If you tend to pour generously with gravy, mayonnaise, dressing, or garlic sauce, you're not alone. That is of course very tasty, but these liquid calorie bombs are not good for your health and weight.

So choose healthy alternatives, such as homemade lean sauces, and don't eat too much of them.

Tip 14: Watch your snacks

It seems harmless: a cheese cube, a handful of nuts, a bitterball. But with 3 bitterballs, a handful of nuts and 4 cubes of cheese, you get 500 (unnecessary) calories.

So snack consciously. For example, choose two (healthy) snacks.

Tip 15: Choose healthy snacks

As a follow-up to the previous tip: there are healthy snacks that are at least as tasty as a bitterball and contribute to a healthy and slim body. For example, consider:

• Cherry tomatoes with mozzarella
• Boiled egg with avocado
• Watermelon with feta
• Banana slices with peanut butter
• Apple wedges with cinnamon
• Your favorite veggies with homemade dip

Tip 16: Boost your metabolism with protein

With protein-rich food, you are doing your body a huge favor. Proteins [2-5]:

• Ensuring a feeling of satiety
• Contribute to weight loss
• Helping you maintain a healthy weight
• Help you automatically eat fewer calories
• Speed up your metabolism

That's why you should choose healthy sources of protein, such as:

• Chicken
• Pisces
• Eggs
• Greek yogurt
• Quinoa

Tip 17: Focus on fibers

Fiber helps you reduce your calorie intake, helping you prevent weight gain during the holidays [6.7].

Good sources of fiber include:

• veggies
• Fruit
• Legumes
• Whole grains
• Notes
• Seeds

Tip 18: Brag once

Resist the temptation to brag a second or even a third time. Usually, one plate is really enough to feel full. This not only saves you unnecessary calories, but also prevents you from rolling off the table feeling overfull.

Tip 19: Stop eating dessert

Excessive sugar consumption is a common cause of weight gain [8].

And now let the desserts give you an extra smile during the holidays. Here's how you can deal with this:

• Focus on your favorite and leave the rest
• Take time to enjoy your dessert (this makes you feel fuller and prevents you from eating too much)
• Opt for a healthy dessert, such as a bowl of fruit or low-carb avocado chocolate mousse

Tip 20: Don't cram

Stuffing up and overeating isn't good for anything. Not only does it contribute to weight gain, it also lowers your energy levels, interferes with a good night's sleep and simply makes you feel unwell. Do you feel that you are full? Then stop eating.

Tip 21: Drink as much (sparkling) water as possible

Did you know that there are 200 calories in mulled wine, 300 calories in hot chocolate with whipped cream, and 500 calories in pina colada? These festive drinks are less festive for your weight.

Therefore, choose (sparkling) water as much as possible. You can easily give that a festive twist by serving it in a champagne glass or brightening it up with a sprig of mint, a slice of cucumber or some pomegranate seeds.

Tip 22: Drink alcohol in moderation

A glass of port on the cheeseboard, the inevitable bottle (s) of wine at dinner, the liqueur with coffee. During the holidays, alcohol often flows profusely. Unfortunately, this inhibits your fat burning, makes you want to snack and those drinks are bursting with calories. And the hangover the next day is no fun either.

Therefore, stop drinking alcohol and drink extra (sparkling) water.

Tip 23: Move

It may be hard to imagine it when you're lying on the couch under a rug, but you feel a lot better when you get moving every now and then. In addition, it can provide extra fun during the holidays. For example, consider:

• Ice skating on a skating rink
• Wander around the Christmas market
• Get a breath of fresh air on the beach
• Take a walk in the woods with the whole family

Tip 24: Do you sleep slim

It's an essential part of your weight loss process, but probably not the first thing you think about: sleep. More sleep contributes to fewer pounds. Unfortunately, the festivities often go on into the late hours, and sleep deprivation can cause weight gain.

That's because [9-13]:

• You're more hungry when you haven't slept enough, leading to a higher calorie intake
• You move less after a short night
• Sleep deprivation slows your metabolism

Therefore, try not to go to bed too late.

Tip 25: Don't stress

Prepare dinners, prepare the house for guests, finish your final work. The holidays can be stressful.

Stress isn't good for you. It increases cortisol levels in your body. This hormone may increase appetite and contribute to weight gain [14,15]. In addition, stress can make you crave junk food more. [15].

Take care of yourself and create moments of rest. For example, drink a cup of tea silently in between, do breathing exercises or walk around the block.

Tip 26: Stand strong together

You're really not the only one with the intention not to make it too crazy this holiday season. Find a buddy and motivate and inspire each other to make healthy choices.

You can even compete with who eats healthiest or says “no thanks” most often. Keep it fun and cozy, and healthy eating will be a lot more enjoyable.

Tip 27: Shift your attention

Shift your focus from eating to fun. Think of playing games, skating, watching Christmas movies or walking and taking pictures of all the beautiful decorations. Enjoy all the best things about the holidays, not just the food.

Tip 28: Observe Your Thoughts

What you put in your mouth often starts with a thought. For example:

• “I've already sinned, now it doesn't matter anymore”
• “I want to lose weight after the holidays, I'll be living healthy again from January”
• “That one walk really doesn't make a difference”

These thoughts can cause you to release all your brakes, which can seriously hamper your weight loss.

If you go along with these thoughts, it may just happen that you don't exercise much and eat unlimited snacks for weeks. As a result, you will be further away from your target weight and healthy habits than ever in January. That would be a shame!

Be aware of these thoughts and implement them when you identify them. For example:

• “From now on, if I make healthy choices, I'll feel energized and reach my goals faster.”
• “If I eat a bit healthy and exercise now, I won't have to lose more than 20 kilos from January”
• “Going for a walk, I'll burn an extra 250 calories today!”

Tip 29: Brush your teeth

You often associate brushing your teeth with ending a meal. As a result, a fresh mint flavor, from brushing your teeth or chewing gum, for example, helps to satisfy the feeling of appetite. Make sure you have a fresh taste in your mouth regularly. This makes it much easier to resist temptations and turn down treats.

Tip 30: Enjoy!

The holidays are a great opportunity to spend time with family, friends and loved ones. So don't worry and don't be too hard on yourself. You really won't suddenly be 10 kilos heavier after this period.

Follow (a few of) the tips in this article to prevent your diet from getting out of hand. But remember: it's not the days between Christmas and New Year that make the difference, but rather the period between New Year's Eve and Christmas that determines your goal weight. Enjoy this special time of year!

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