2 - QVI Club
2 - QVI Club
2 - QVI Club
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Vs.<br />
Willpower<br />
It’s the season of merry-making! Hearty meals with family<br />
and friends, festive goodies received as gifts, holiday<br />
sweets on sale everywhere – it takes lots of self-discipline<br />
and determination not to overindulge! Before you know<br />
it, you may have piled on extra pounds even before the<br />
holiday season is over.<br />
Here’s a handy guide on how to keep tabs on your intake, and<br />
avoid holiday weight gain.<br />
Start the day with a healthy breakfast<br />
Research has shown that those who start the day with a healthy breakfast<br />
typically take fewer calories throughout the day. Eat a hearty bowl of oatmeal or<br />
cereals with low-fat milk and fresh fruit toppings; wholewheat toast with lowfat<br />
margarine; or make a smoothie by blending low-fat milk, yogurt, strawberries<br />
and half a banana, with some organic honey to taste.<br />
Eat small, frequent meals<br />
Eating small, frequent meals throughout the day would prevent overeating when<br />
you attend a dinner party. For such an occasion, avoid skipping meals to ‘save<br />
space in your stomach’! Remember, the hungrier you are, the higher would be<br />
the tendency to overeat.<br />
Limit your food portions<br />
Yes, festive parties and dinner gatherings during the holidays are the perfect<br />
time to eat the food and snacks that are only available during that time of year.<br />
Although the temptation is great, consume these foods in moderation. Limit your<br />
serving portions of fatty foods and calorie-laden snacks. If you feel your selfrestraint<br />
waning, take regular sips of water, so you’ll fill up faster.<br />
Load up on fibre-rich foods<br />
Fibre-rich foods keep you feeling full for longer periods of time, so they make<br />
ideal appetizer choices.<br />
Starting your meal with salads and vegetables will help you eat less during<br />
your meals. Be mindful of the salad dressing (go easy on the creamy ones and<br />
choose fat-free dressings), and ideally, take blanched vegetables. For your main<br />
dish, fill up your plate with vegetable side dishes instead of starchy or meatbased<br />
alternatives.<br />
Take cues from your body<br />
Your body would send signals to your brain to ‘inform’ you that you’ve eaten<br />
enough. Instead of eating till you feel stuffed, stop eating once you no longer<br />
feel hungry!<br />
In addition, chew your food slowly and take sips of water in between bites so<br />
you’ll feel full faster. Otherwise, chatting with your dining companions during the<br />
meal also helps to pace your food intake.<br />
Exercise to get back in shape<br />
For those who fight a losing battle against their willpower throughout the<br />
holidays, fret not. If you find yourself overindulging, just maintain or increase the<br />
intensity of your exercise regime after the holiday season to get back in shape!<br />
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