BY HEJIRA CONVERY, KINDICARE

DECEMBER 2, 2024

’Tis the season to be jolly, and although we all deserve some Christmas cheer after a seriously busy year, it is possible to get that festive feeling without totally blowing the diet!  

This is good news if you want to enjoy those work parties and family feasts while still watching your weight and wellbeing, and Dr Nick Fuller is here to share some simple and very effective ways to have a happy, healthy Christmas.  

Nick is a leading health expert with degrees in exercise physiology, nutrition and dietetics, plus a doctorate in obesity and weight management, so you can trust him to give good advice, and also know that he’s not a Christmas Scrooge!  

Nick loves the festive season as much as the rest of us, but understands how important it is to keep the whole family healthy this December. 

So, without further ado, here are his top six tips for Christmastime.

1. Fill up before you head out 

If you have loads of social events coming up (with bar snacks and buffets aplenty), then it’s a good idea to enjoy some healthy, pre-event snacks before you go out.  

Nick says, “This way, you and your kids are less likely to fill up on finger food that’s high in fat, salt and sugar, and low in nutritional value. 

“Filling up early means you’ll also be less likely to stop for an unhealthy fast-food option on your way home.” 

2. Skip the low-carb alcoholic drinks and enjoy your favourites (in moderation)

Nick explains that, “Despite the marketing promises, low-carb alcoholic drinks are not better for our waistlines and won’t help you avoid Christmas weight gain.”  

He says, “Many low-carb options have a similar amount of carbohydrates as regular options, but lull us into thinking they're better, so we drink more.” 

For this reason, he recommends that you enjoy a little of what you love, and this means, “Sticking to one or two standard drinks daily, and sipping lots of water in between drinks to stay hydrated.”  

You can also try mixing things up with a healthy berry mocktail, served in a special glass for that festive feeling!   

3. Make sure you're getting enough sleep

At this time of the year, it often feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day, but in between the end-of-year deadlines, Christmas parties and late-night shopping, it is important to get enough sleep.  

Nick says missing out on much-needed sleep is a key Christmas weight gain culprit, and, “Sleep deprivation also disturbs your appetite hormones, increasing your feelings of hunger and triggering cravings.”  

If you’re finding it hard to maintain your usual bedtime routine this festive season, then Nick recommends that you have a power nap during the day (even if this is only possible on weekends). 

You can also consciously put a few quiet nights into the Christmas calendar, instead of accepting every invite and doing back-to-back events.   

4. Don't skip breakfast on Christmas Day

It's tempting to skip breakfast on Christmas morning to 'save' the calories for later, but Nick says this plan will fail when you arrive at lunch super hungry!  

Fuelling the whole family with a healthy and delicious breakfast – like oaty pancakes or nutty granola served with fruit – will kickstart your metabolism and make everyone feel fuller to reduce the risk of overeating.  

5. Have fun with food hacks 

When it’s time to cook Christmas lunch, Nick suggests that you get creative by swapping in healthier ingredients and options, which are just as tasty, but a lot better for you.  

For example, you can: 

• Roast your veggies using healthier cooking oils, like olive oil and avocado oil, and use flavourful herbs instead of salt. 

• Swap salted ham for leaner meat, like fresh seafood, which is really nice grilled on the barbie. 

• Ditch the traditional heavy cakes and puddings for healthier options, like Nick’s crowd-pleasing rocky road and spice-tastic ginger bread.  

• Give store-bought sauces and dressings a miss, and make your own from scratch using fresh ingredients. 
  
  

6. Ask Santa for a healthy gift

Adding a health-related gift to your Christmas wish list – like some exercise gear or a healthy cookbook – will help you kick off the New Year in a positive way. 

Healthy presents, like sporting equipment or active games, will also be a hit with the kids, and it’s fun to give ‘experience’ gifts that the whole family can enjoy, like a voucher for ten-pin bowling, laser tag or mini-golf.  

At the end of the day, there are lots of ways to enjoy a healthier festive season, and it’s about making good choices, rather than totally depriving yourself of good things. 

Nick says, “Christmas is a wonderful time to unwind and relax with family and friends, often over food. However, instead of succumbing to weeks of calorie-rich celebratory food, plentiful drinks and maximum downtime this festive period, implement healthy habits for the whole family, and set some good boundaries around food, exercise and sleep health.” 

His book, Healthy Parents, Healthy Kids contains lots of tips to help you do this at Christmas and all the time, and we wish you a very merry festive season, with all the (health-conscious) trimmings!