It's the party season!

Ok, so Christmas is just around the corner, that means parties to go to, and lots and lots of food.  So how does Christmas affect our waistlines?

New research has been published from an unlikely source - Tilda Basmati Rice, that surveyed 1,000 adults in the UK about their Christmas eating habits.

The survey found that the first Friday of December is when Britons tuck into their first festive food of the season - and as early as 9.58 am on the first Friday.  This starts off the beginning of what will end up being an extra 30.000 calories consumed between now and Christmas.

Let's face it, it's very easy to overeat at this time of year with all the delicious treats on offer every time you go anywhere near a food department.

According to the survey, the biggest over eaters are young adults between 16-24 years of age.  Probably due to the number of parties they'll be attending, or students back from university.  But all age groups will be joining in the overeating and less healthy foods; men are less likely to treat themselves than women, just 28% of men stated they never indulge in festive treats versus 23% of women who claimed the same.

Lots admitted to comfort eating (28%) and others that the cold weather led them to stay at home and indulge (24%) and others said that the Christmas over indulgence was a "reward" for all the hard work during the year (21%).

However, there is a way to have your cake and eat it too!

My advice is to plan ahead.  If you know you have a party to go to on a Saturday, then be really strict with yourself all week prior to the party.  Don't mix your carbs and your proteins and stay as active as possible.  Reduce your carb intake to just twice a week.  If the party you are going to is a cocktail type with only "finger foods" available, I suggest you eat something healthy before going.  Nibbles are usually all carb based with lots of mayonnaise and protein mixed in.  A sure way of piling on the pounds!  If you eat beforehand you won't be so hungry and it will be easy to avoid the fattening foods.

If you have a dinner or a lunch to go to then do the same, be strict with yourself during the days leading up to the event and then enjoy.

In both cases, be strict again from the next day onwards, to counteract the "damage" that may have been done.

Drink lots of water before and after drinking heavily.  Think before you eat, ask yourself if you are really hungry first or if you are going to regret eating that afterwards.  If you do decided to indulge then ENJOY it!  Don't feel guilty about doing it.

After all, Christmas is for having fun too!

I can help you improve your health.  If you would like to make an appointment with me either in person or via Skype, just send me an email to lucycarr@socialnutrition.com