Holiday eating doesn’t have to a minefield of unhealthy choices: dietitians
Reported December 24, 2007
MONTREAL – The holiday imperative to eat, drink and be merry has often appeared as anathema to the health-conscious, but dietitians say it can actually provide a good guide to making the most of the season.
Alas, health professionals also stress moderation when navigating those holiday buffets and turkey dinners.
“Don’t restrict yourself in terms of what you like,” said Melanie Maurus, a dietitian based in Rigaud, Que., west of Montreal. “Go for your favourite little entree and savour that platter.”
Montreal-based dietitian Johanna Sarkis tells her clients to keep variety in mind when dealing with the unhealthy food choices that abound at this time of year.
“Variety, even chocolate, is good, especially during the holidays,” she said. “This is when we have the chance to vary because we eat stuff we never eat all year. So why not benefit from it? Just be selective.”
Of course, exercising moderation over the holidays is not always easy. Canada’s largest retailers sold $374 million worth of candy, confectionery and snack foods in December last year.
The monthly average for the rest of the year was $218 million.
But there are easy ways to counter the bevy of sugar-heavy treats.
Maurus recommends low-fat desserts and minor modification to mixed drinks.
“A rum and Coke has 200 calories just coming from the Coke,” she said. “Instead, have diet Coke. There are two calories.”
Maurus also advises party hosts to offer plenty of fruits and vegetables with a healthy dip, if only as a way of pushing nutritious fare on others.
For her, making such small adjustments are much more effective than simply trying to ban certain foods.
“You can have any food you want, it’s just a matter of moderation,” she says.
“We’ve found when you tell someone ‘Don’t have that chocolate pie at all,’ the restriction tendency makes them gorge on something else.”
While Sarkis agrees, she points out it’s a way of thinking that takes some time to get used to.
“People have to learn how to do this,” she said. “It doesn’t come over the holidays. But at least you can think of it during the holidays and practise it.”
Healthy living, in the end, is only one component of a healthy lifestyle, and likewise, only one component of a satisfying Christmas break.
“Your body needs a break too,” Sarkis said.
But here too, dietitians advocate against overindulgence.
“What do I mean by relax? I don’t mean sit on the couch and watch TV all day,” she adds.
With heavy snowstorms hitting much of the country recently, it is an ideal time for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or hitting the outdoor rink. And if the weather doesn’t co-operate, take the time to play with younger relatives.
Staying active over holidays shouldn’t be seen as a waste of precious downtime.
“You want to burn off energy,” Maurus said. “If you’re just idle for three days on your vacation you’re going to be very lethargic and you’re not going to feel satisfied.”
