GUEST BLOGGER: Party Smart!

Posted on Dec 23 in Featured, Featured Article, Guest Blogger, Latest Newsby QV SkincarePrint

Merry Christmas, readers!

With the holiday season upon us – with all its glitzy parties and dinner gatherings – it is tough keeping to our normal diet. How does one resist the creamy goodness of chocolate log cakes and Christmas turkeys? How does one… stop eating continuously? I find myself devouring way too much Japanese food the past three days (my different groups of friends love them), and am now feeling a little sick in the stomach just thinking about sushi and BBQ food.

Here are some tips to enjoy party temptations without having to step up in the gym for hours each day.

1) Pre-gather snack
Before hitting the party, have a light snack to prevent a situation where by you are starving by the time
you reach the place and will sweep food off the buffet table like there is no tomorrow. Try a banana
or some nuts.

2) Greens, greens and greens
Raw vegetables are high in fibre and low in calories. Go for salads, raw vegetables and broth-based soups at the party to prep your stomach. Go light on the dressings for salads.

3) Go small
Use smaller plates and put small portions of what you really want to eat. Try not to refill your plates too many times.

4) Chewing your way through
Eat slower and chew more. Studies have shown that your taste buds do not register flavours as succinctly after the third or fourth bite. This allows your brain to process what you are eating and whether you truly like the dish you are having. This way, there is more time between intention (to gobble up more) and action
(not doing it). Also, chew aids digestion.

5) Do not neglect water
Make sure you get enough fluids for the day. Water can cut down on calories as it makes you feel full so you do not overeat. Sipping water during your meal allows you to eat slower and not overindulge.

6) Buffet table – the biggest temptation
I myself fall victim to this 90% of the time. With buffets, I feel like I have to eat as much as I can to get my money’s worth. However, these days, I am starting to eat wisely and buffets are holding less appeal to me. At parties, spend more time mingling with the guests and your friends. This way, you will not be topping up your plate every ten minutes. Consciously and deliberately choose the food you want to eat, instead of loading up every items on the buffet spread.

7) Control the alcohol
Cocktails, (especially those with fruits or are very sweet), are high-caloried. Try the wines instead, and control your intake. After all, you do not want to get drunk and end up embarrassing yourself in front of friends and strangers, and spoiling the party mood.

Once again, Merry Christmas to everyone and let’s all look forward to a good 2012!

With love,

starmist
www.thegirlstarmist.com