Staying Healthy during Party Season

This year has gone fast, really fast. I almost can’t believe that the holiday season is nearly upon us.

So far I have had a good year having achieved most of my fitness goals including maintaining a far healthier diet than I used to. The problem is that the holiday season means temptation and lots of it.

This year Columbus Day is on the 12th October, which will be my first test of resolve. I love this celebration and normally spend it with family and friends eating and drinking. Of course, I will not forgo the chance to do that, but I am planning ways to help me to make sound party food choices.

The plan should hold good for Halloween, Thanksgiving and all of the parties leading up to Christmas and the New Year. Here is how I am planning to tackle all of these parties.

Eat light before and after

There is no way that I am going to forgo all of the treats especially the sweet ones, so I am going to reduce what I eat before and after each event. For two or three days before and after each event I will make sure that my diet is 100% lean and full of plenty of detoxing salads and vegetable soups.

Don’t go hungry before the event

On the day of the festivities I will start with as light a breakfast as possible, but about an hour or so before I am due to meet my friends for food I will fill up on salad and fruit. That way I will arrive reasonably full and be able to keep what I eat under reasonable control.

Make healthy choices

Staying fit and healthy is all about making good choices as often as possible. So, my plan for the events themselves is to take the approach I did at a London hog roast I attended recently.

Before helping myself to the pulled meat, potatoes, pasta and calorie heavy sides, I am going to load up my plate with vegetables and salads. This approach helps me to keep the ratios right and continue to eat a balanced diet even when I am out.

For drinks, I go for water with lots of fruit in it for flavour or occasionally low calorie sodas over lots of ice to make it go further. I tend to keep the alcoholic drinks to a minimum and again I go for the lower calorie options or top up with lots of ice and low calorie mixers. If there are fresh juices or smoothies on offer I will always opt for them.

It is getting easier to make good choices at parties. As a whole, the population is becoming more health conscious and opting to include plenty of healthy options for guests.