Chinese New Year is always a fun-filled time with family, friends and food. Amidst the endless gatherings and tempting goodies, it is easy for us to let our hair down and indulge in whatever is presented to us.
So, to avoid being regretted an uncontrolled appetite during CNY, there are a few tips from Stolle to keep you healthy.
- Stay hydrated
Water is an ideal choice of beverage when you’re thirsty as it is important to your body’s health and has zero calories. Besides, your body can mistake thirst for hunger, enticing you to reach for another piece of tart or cookies. It is advisable to drink a glass of water before you head to any event. It is also important to drink plenty of water after a big day of eating to assist on flush out the wastes accumulated from feasting.
- Chew slowly & avoid binge eating
Don’t you know that eating too fast may lead to indigestion and weight gain? Eating mindfully and chewing the food slowly is highly important as not chewing your food properly could make you eat more than you need.
It is easy to get overeating during the festival or at reunion dinners, big plate tend to encourage bigger quantity of food, hence we may opt for a smaller plate to pace yourself and limiting your intake is important. You may also eat a healthy snack, like fruit or yogurt bar with nuts before visiting. This helps to prevent overeating during your visit, as well as increases overall fibre intake to meet daily need.
- Limit to 1 sugary beverage a day
Remember those colorful carbonated drinks in our childhood days? People nowadays might have more health awareness but there are still many traps for sugary beverages. Pay attention to the sugar content of each sugar drink even if it claimed with low sugar. Try to limit to 1 sugar beverage a day for a healthy purpose.
- Stay active
Staying active is highly important not only for your weight loss efforts but your health in general. Stick to your workout schedule even if it’s in the Chinese New Year. If you foresee it’s going to have limited time to work out during the festive season, aim for a 30-minute walk or take every opportunity to be active: play with the kids, park your car further from your destination, etc.
- Get enough sleep
Playing mahjong and card games to the wee hours of the morning could have been your yearly Chinese New Year ritual but the problem with having an inadequate amount of sleep is that it can lead to bad food choices and cancelled workout plans. When you’re tired, you would want to eat more but also feel less satisfied after you eat.
The occasional late night won’t totally disrupt your health but be mindful not to have too many over the holiday period. Take advantage of any chance to take a nap or have a break.
- Prepare or choose a healthier reunion dinner
It is best if you are to decide on the menu, but in case your family decides to eat out or food deliveries, then you need to make healthier choices as well. Same old advice, choose more greens for your own sake.
With these realistic approaches to the New Year, we hope you have a blasting good (and guilt-free) time soaking up all the goodness – food and family included. Now go forth and have a great year ahead!
