Keeping on Track This Christmas

The time of the year when it all goes downhill. Our jeans get tighter as the number of gingernut balls consumed can no longer be counted on one hand. There are ways to enjoy the festivities without giving yourself the gift of a muffin top. Thankfully, our beautiful summer weather in Australia means prawns, mangoes and cherries are abundant and a game of beach cricket awaits us.

Enjoy the best parts of Christmas by all means. But keep these helpful tips in mind to avoid undoing your hard work from the year you start to say goodbye to.

1. Swap potato bake for a salad

Summer and salads are made for each other. When everyone is designated a plate to bring, make sure it is your job to come through with the best salad your family has ever seen. This is a great alternative to a creamy potato bake which leaves you in a food coma. Perhaps you could bring the MINOMA specialty… Go ahead, you can even take all the credit for it!

2. Keep moving

Regardless of the time of year, where you are in the world or who you are with, you should always carry on with the normal routine of exercise. That way it remains a normal part of your day and does not slip into being a chore. It can be as simple as a brisk walk along the beach, a body weight session from our MINOMA training guide or finding time to hit the gym before the daily festivities start. By exercising bright and early, you are more likely to carry through with healthier food choices throughout the day.

3. Choose wisely

Christmas is exciting and it should not be missed out on. You just need to set yourself some rules and practice some self-control. Try and avoid the table snacks. These are often very high in salt, sugar or unhealthy fats. Salted peanuts, chocolate coated almonds, rumballs and short bread. This sound familiar? In one rumball or one short bread cookie, there are approximately 90 calories. The addictive properties of the high sugar and salt content in these types of table foods make it almost impossible to stop at one. Save your calories for the meal your mother has slaved over for hours.

4. Portion control

When big families come together and each person brings a plate, there is always copious amounts of food. It becomes so easy to over eat. I am not suggesting you miss out on anything. After all, you wouldn’t want to upset anyone by not trying their dish. But it is important that your portions are considered. A small serving of each is best, rather than three plates later and you no longer can move. Try to avoid unnecessary sauces, gravies and dressings and choose mainly fresh wholefoods.

Merry MINOMA Salad

4 cups of spinach and rocket

¼ cup of roasted pine nuts

10 strawberries (halved)

¼ cup of goji berries

¼ cup of pistachios

10 stems of roasted asparagus (chopped into 1 cm pieces)

1 avocado (sliced)

½ red onion (diced & uncooked)

½ head of roasted cauliflower

2 Tbsp. of olive oil

rizzled on top