<p>One of the dominant images of the Christmas season is food and drink in copious quantities. Think office parties, get-togethers with friends, lunches and dinners and cocktail evenings back to back. Bad for the waistline, hard on the liver and tough on the arteries.<br /><br /> “The festive season does not have to be a perpetual cycle of binge eating and guilt tripping as there are sensible ways to keep your diet healthy during the season,” says nutritionist Sheela Patel. <br /><br />“I know it’s easy to say ‘eat and drink in moderation’ and not easy to follow but there are little tips to keep in mind at this time of year. Use a small plate. It fills up quickly and your mind will consider it a full plate anyway. Take small helpings of different foods rather than overloading on one rich fatty item for a more balanced healthier meal. For every glass of alcohol or soft drink, have a glass of water.” <br /><br />“It fills you up, has no calories and will help wash out the excesses. Help the hostess clear the table as soon as everyone finishes eating rather than picking at left-overs. Make your own mixed drinks with real fruit juice instead of canned drinks,” she advises.<br />Margaret Chawla carefully plans the ingredients that go into her festive cooking to keep her guests from overloading their systems. <br /><br />“I serve salads rather than baked-in-fat vegetables. I also prefer using spices and herbs to flavour steamed veggies instead of butter or creamy sauces.” <br /><br />“A spicy potato salad is much healthier than a mayonnaise based potato salad and just as tasty. Skip the bacon bits and salami. Top baked potatoes with yogurt, instead of butter, and for salad dressings, try a mix of lemon juice, vinegar and fresh herbs <br />instead of creamy dressings. Use wholegrain breads for stuffing and instead of candies or chocolates bowls for guests, keep out cherries or grapes,” she says.<br /><br />Margaret also uses pita bread or vegetable strips to go with dips instead of chips and prefers to use fresh fruit in desserts instead of chocolate or meringue toppings.<br /><br />All in all, savvy merrymakers say that if you want to survive the festive season unscathed, the trick is to watch portion sizes like a hawk. Skip the second helping or the extra spoonful, never pile the food on your plate high. Enjoy everything, say no to nothing –– but do it all in moderation.</p>
<p>One of the dominant images of the Christmas season is food and drink in copious quantities. Think office parties, get-togethers with friends, lunches and dinners and cocktail evenings back to back. Bad for the waistline, hard on the liver and tough on the arteries.<br /><br /> “The festive season does not have to be a perpetual cycle of binge eating and guilt tripping as there are sensible ways to keep your diet healthy during the season,” says nutritionist Sheela Patel. <br /><br />“I know it’s easy to say ‘eat and drink in moderation’ and not easy to follow but there are little tips to keep in mind at this time of year. Use a small plate. It fills up quickly and your mind will consider it a full plate anyway. Take small helpings of different foods rather than overloading on one rich fatty item for a more balanced healthier meal. For every glass of alcohol or soft drink, have a glass of water.” <br /><br />“It fills you up, has no calories and will help wash out the excesses. Help the hostess clear the table as soon as everyone finishes eating rather than picking at left-overs. Make your own mixed drinks with real fruit juice instead of canned drinks,” she advises.<br />Margaret Chawla carefully plans the ingredients that go into her festive cooking to keep her guests from overloading their systems. <br /><br />“I serve salads rather than baked-in-fat vegetables. I also prefer using spices and herbs to flavour steamed veggies instead of butter or creamy sauces.” <br /><br />“A spicy potato salad is much healthier than a mayonnaise based potato salad and just as tasty. Skip the bacon bits and salami. Top baked potatoes with yogurt, instead of butter, and for salad dressings, try a mix of lemon juice, vinegar and fresh herbs <br />instead of creamy dressings. Use wholegrain breads for stuffing and instead of candies or chocolates bowls for guests, keep out cherries or grapes,” she says.<br /><br />Margaret also uses pita bread or vegetable strips to go with dips instead of chips and prefers to use fresh fruit in desserts instead of chocolate or meringue toppings.<br /><br />All in all, savvy merrymakers say that if you want to survive the festive season unscathed, the trick is to watch portion sizes like a hawk. Skip the second helping or the extra spoonful, never pile the food on your plate high. Enjoy everything, say no to nothing –– but do it all in moderation.</p>
