Healthy Living Through Holiday Cheer

 Tips to stay healthy while enjoying holiday fun 

Many families eat together during the holiday season. 

There's nothing wrong with indulging in holiday treats, but you should be careful about the amount you consume. 

Eating cold snacks and not worrying about seconds is the way to stay healthy. 

Get some exercise during the Christmas season and make exercise a family activity. 

 From year-end parties and family meals to lunches and barbecues with friends,  summer brings with it a lot of food. 

As much as we enjoy a variety of cuisines at various celebratory occasions, we also need to be mindful of our weight and health. 

This doesn't mean you shouldn't enjoy feasting at any event you attend, you just need to be mindful of your food intake. 

 "It's important to be kind to yourself and make the most of your social gatherings during the holidays.  Don't let one meal detract from your overall healthy lifestyle.  Have fun and then return to your normal habits." "Decide on the snacks you really love and skip the ones that don't add much value," says Letha Harms, a ,  nutritionist and president of the Association of Dietitians of South Africa (ADSA).  

Letha and ADSA nutritionist and spokesperson Faaiza Lahar share some nutrition tips to help you maintain your summer body even after summer is over. 

1. Cold delicacies 

In summer, high temperatures make it  easier to eat cold meals and drinks. So instead of  a hot English breakfast, you can have a light fruit and vegetable salad or even a smoothie. 

2. Eat a balanced diet 

When ordering and plating your food, choose larger portions of lighter side dishes and pair them with smaller main dishes to create a healthier balance. 

For example, if your meal consists of vegetables and meat, make sure  the vegetable portions are larger than the meat portions. 

This Healthline article suggests putting vegetables on your plate and eating them first to ensure you get your fill of vegetables before filling up on other, more substantial foods. 

  3. Don't take seconds 

 Order only once and eat everything you want in small portions so you don't have to go for seconds. 

Also, eat slowly, savoring the food on your plate, so that by the time you're done, you're full and won't need seconds. According to an article in Healthline, eating slowly gives your stomach enough time to send hormonal signals to your brain that you're full, eliminating the desire to go for seconds. 

4. Plan ahead and bring pre-event snacks 

Don't fast all day just because you have a special meal later. Plan your meals accordingly and prepare snacks before the event so you aren't hungry or overeating when you arrive, especially if most of the food  served at the event is  junk food. 

5. Take a walk after meals and keep exercising 

Just because you're on vacation doesn't mean you have to stop training. Stay active on your days off or treats. 

 . . Even a little extra exercise during the holidays can be very helpful for anyone," explains Dr. Suzanne Votruba, a researcher in obesity and nutrition at the  National Institutes of Health, in a News in Health article. Jodi Engel, a  registered dietitian and nutritionist at the National Institutes of Health, adds that exercise can be a family activity, especially after days of overeating. 

An after-dinner walk is also a  way to burn calories on the weekend.