Calories don't count this week

Christmas is around the corner. Only a few days to go before the big family reunion. The menu is tempting. Resisting it feels almost impossible. A little voice inside reminds you not to overdo it and to protect the hard-earned kilos you’ve shed. But at this time of the year, where gatherings and invites are piling up, guilt has no place at the table. Instead of depriving yourself, stressing, or beating yourself up… here’s one simple rule: eat smart. These are the recommendations of Dr. Carla Habib Mourad, licensed dietitian nutritionist and assistant research professor at American University of Beirut.

Don’t skip a meal

Day D is finally here. From the very first hours, aromas wafting from the kitchen mingle and fill the house. Enough to make your mouth water. You can’t wait for nightfall to taste all the delicious dishes prepared with love. On this day, don’t even think about skipping a meal. You definitely don’t want to arrive at Christmas Eve dinner starving, only to devour chips and peanuts to curb your hunger. Tip: go for a light lunch, a salad with two hard-boiled eggs, a soup, or yogurt with a handful of nuts.

Make smart swaps

Once seated at the dinner table, try to make smart choices. As tempting as it may be, skip the cold cuts board and opt for the cheese platter instead. Even if they are high in fat, cheeses are also a good source of protein and calcium, along with essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A, B12 and D, as well as zinc and magnesium. Choose smoked salmon over pâté or foie gras. The same goes for salads: stick to green salads rather than pasta-based ones.

When the main course is served, don’t deprive yourself. After all, it’s Christmas, and part of the celebration is enjoying the moment and the company around the table. Serve yourself a reasonable portion of turkey, chicken, or roast meat, but go easy on the sauce that comes with it.

If the turkey is homemade, play smart with the stuffing. Choose dried fruits, sweet potatoes, or chestnuts instead of meat and rice.

As for the dessert, allow yourself a generous slice of your favorite treat. And remember, it’s better to enjoy one good serving than go back for seconds.

Give the leftovers

If you are hosting the Christmas dinner, don’t hesitate to send your guests home with some of the leftovers. On the one hand, they’ll be happy to have lunch for the next day. On the other, it saves you from eating leftovers and overindulging for days to come.

Balanced diet

Between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, try to stick to a balanced diet. This helps prevent your body from storing excess fat from Christmas Eve. During this week, it is recommended to prioritize salads and soups, as well as non-fatty dishes. Limit the intake of desserts and food high in fat. It is perfectly fine to have a piece of chocolate now and then.

Healthy snacking

New Year’s Eve is an even bigger challenge, since the menu is mainly made up of snacks. Healthy snacking might sound insignificant on this night. But think again: more people are opting for healthier choices. Here are some ideas: prepare a large plate of vegetables, including pomelos, carrots, green apples, kohlrabi, and green, yellow and red bell peppers. They pair perfectly with dips such as guacamole, or labneh-based dips. You can also pick one variety of chips to avoid overindulging. Why not try some homemade popcorn with a small amount of salt and oil? Nuts are also a better choice than chips. They are rich in omega-3. Opt for grilled pistachio, almonds and cashew nuts rather than fried ones.

Drink smart

When it comes to alcohol, it’s better not to exceed two glasses. But again, it is New Year’s Eve, and you may feel like indulging yourself. Make smart choices by choosing wine, dry wine and prosecco over sugar-heavy cocktails. Try to limit yourself to one glass per hour. And remember to drink plenty of water between glasses.

On New Year’s Day, it is perfectly fine to enjoy a knefeh or a mont blanc. No foods are off-limits. Just be moderate.

Stay active

During this festive season and ideally all year long make sure to stay physically active. Here are some tips: on New Year’s Eve, dance as much as you can. Go for walks in the mall or outside with friends when the weather allows. Take the stairs instead of the elevator whenever possible and try walking instead of driving for short trips.

At the end of the day enjoy the season, indulge yourself, and stay active. Remember: balance and not restriction is the key word. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.