Beat the bulge during the festive season

You can probably admit to letting the top button on your pants go loose when Christmas rolls around.

According to Nutrition Australia, the average weight gain for Australians over the Christmas-New Year festivities is between 0.8kg and 1.5kg.

Sure, it might not sound like a lot, but research has also found you are less likely to get rid of that pudding once the festivities have passed.

How then do you stay healthy over Christmas?

According to nutritional therapist Kerry Torrens, you need to take the first meal of the day quite seriously.

“If I’m going out in the evening, I’ll start the day with a generous bowl of porridge topped with a handful of cranberries and a sprinkle of cinnamon,” Torrens says.

She says the porridge stabilises your blood sugar levels, and this helps you control your appetite later in the day.

Another piece of advice is to avoid going anywhere hungry. That includes those last minute trips to the shops for Christmas presents.

Pack a small bag of nuts and seeds and a piece of fruit in your bag when you go shopping,” Dave Martin wrote for the website Hungry Healthy Happy.

He says this will prevent you from going to the food court and eating something that is most likely not going to be food for your waist line and over priced.

Nutrition Australia also recommends you continue you exercise routine to help you stay fit over the holidays.

If you are interested in taking more control of your health in the new year, ask for a gym membership as a gift from family or close friends, or set yourself a challenge like exercising for 30-45 minutes five out of seven days. The most important thing is to stick to a workout once Christmas and the New Year have gone.

A great way of getting in some exercise is to get involved with the grandkids. Did they get a new toy from that fat, jolly man in the red and white suit? Why not run around with them while they are playing with it. Backyard cricket is always popular this time of year in Australia, so if you have a set you can get a game going and see how many runs you can make.

Finally, you should drink sensibly.

You should also ensure you are getting enough water, especially when those champagne corks start popping.

Set yourself a limit to your alcohol intake, or have a glass of water for every alcoholic beverage you enjoy. If you drink too much you can be prone to making poor choice when it comes to food.

“Even mild dehydration can lead to a headache,” Torrens says.

What are you healthy Christmas tips? Share them with us in the comments below.