With the silly season well and truly upon us, our calendars – and plates! – can seem overwhelmingly full! Find our tips to navigate this time of year in a way that leaves you feeling your best, below.
Plan ahead.
Ahead of time, consider how you’ll stay on track with your goals whilst attending different events. You may also like to decide in advance on those events where you’ll indulge a little more than others to stay on track with your goals, rather than getting swept up in the excitement every time! This might look like:
- Foregoing deep-fried appetisers, and adding some more vegetables and salads to your plate.
- Enjoying a couple of drinks at an event where you know your favourite champagne or cocktail will be available, and opting for non-alcoholic refreshments at another.
- Saying ‘yes’ to a dessert that you absolutely love, and skipping those that you don’t!
- Bringing along a beautifully fresh salad or seasonal fruit plate to complement the other options on offer.
Enjoy balanced meals.
It’s important to continue enjoying macronutrient-balanced meals according to our usual pattern of eating, even when we have an abundant spread to look forward to! This is essential for healthy blood sugar balance and leaves us feeling energised and satisfied, and less likely to overindulge later on. Aim to fill half your plate with leafy and colourful vegetables, a quarter with complex (or slow-releasing) carbohydrates, such as wholegrains or starchy vegetables like potato, sweet potato and corn, and the remaining quarter with a palm-sized portion of lean protein.
Eat mindfully.
For every meal, we encourage paying attention to your body’s hunger and fullness cues before, during and after eating. Avoid overeating to the point that you feel uncomfortably full, instead eating an amount sufficient to satisfy your hunger. Savour every bite, and enjoy the company you’re with!
Stay hydrated.
Essential always, hydration is especially important in the summer months, particularly when we’re enjoying an alcoholic drink or two! To stay adequately hydrated, aim to have a glass of water before each alcoholic drink, and consider trying a few refreshing non-alcoholic options, like a low- or no-sugar kombucha or infused sparkling water. We love a combination of watermelon, fresh lime and mint leaves!
Avoid an “all or nothing” mindset.
We love to make space for our favourite indulgent treats, alongside the nourishing wholefoods that help us feel our best! If you do happen to overindulge on one occasion and are feeling overly full and sluggish, it doesn’t mean all bets are off! Instead, aim for moderation, aiming to enjoy a lighter option at your next meal, or perhaps going for a longer walk the next day.
Move your body.
Carving out some time for daily movement is a fantastic way to support both physical and mental health. Whether it’s a low-impact walk, a family bike ride or high-intensity session, opt for whichever form of movement you enjoy and helps you feel amazing!
For personalised support tailored to your unique dietary requirements, don’t hesitate to book a consultation with one of our wonderful Accredited Practising Dietitians here.
Written by Caitlin Branch, Student Clinical Nutritionist, and Ellie Thompson, Accredited Practising Dietitian.