In festive season,limit portions to keep weight in check

Here are tips to protect people from health problems during festive season.

This festive season,increased food and alcohol consumption coupled with staying up late can throw even the most disciplined people off their fitness regimens. It results in more weight and causes digestive problems and compromises on general well-being.

Here are a few tips to protect people from these problems.

Just like you plan your clothes and meetings,plan your eating too. If you know that you will dine out,under-eat during the day. If youve not been successful keeping it light during the day,eat less at the party. If not,then balance it out in subsequent meals or exercise a little more than usual.

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Eat light snacks (salads,soups,vegetables,lentils,milk,yogurt or nuts) before the party. Dont go there on an empty stomach. You may eat most of your meal at home and choose light snacks or vegetables while you are out.

Maintain a food diary to help you track your calorie intake and make appropriate choices accordingly. Usually,festival food is high on calories,fat,salt and sugar. So eat less and keep a watch on portions,as it is easy to tip over on calories.

If you must indulge in very high calorie traditional fare,limit your portions. Dont stock sweets or chocolates at home to avoid overeating.

Remember the principle of balance. In case you have not been able to control portions and have over-eaten,balance it by compensating in the next meal or under-eating the next day. You may follow it up with a lighter meal consisting of soup and salad or milk and fruit or vegetables and yoghurt.

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It may be a good idea to perform the balancing act in anticipation,prior to the festivities. This could be done a week or few days before the festival.

In restaurants,start your meal with appetisers like clear soups or salads without rich dressings.

Limit alcoholic beverages by avoiding more than two medium drinks. Alcohol stimulates appetite and is primarily a source of empty calories that are stored as fats. Women should limit their intake to one medium drink. Go for dry wine instead of sweetened wines. Dilute your drinks or keep drinking water or soda intermittently.

Skip desserts if possible. Go for light desserts instead of those with cream. Share your desserts with friends.

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Learn to say no politely but firmly. A lot of people dont take no for an answer,so it may be a good idea to ask them for an alternative which you would like to have. Instead of a cold drink,you can ask for sugar-free drinks or tea. Some people may even force you to eat more or pour you a drink which you may not want. You can put it away discreetly without offending anyone. You may tell people that you are off sweets or alcohol. Sometimes,this strategy works.