Seven tips to avoid overeating (not only) at Christmas

Don't skip meals.

While skipping meals may seem like a good way to reduce theamount of calories you consume, it can often lead to binge eating, where youend up eating a lot more and a lot faster. Make sure you keep to a regulareating schedule so that your body and mind "know" that satiety willbe reliably taken care of.  

Fill your plate with the colours of vegetables and fruit.

Try to make sure that a significant portion (ideally half)of your plate is filled with fruits and vegetables. This will increase thenutritional value of your food, make you feel fuller faster and reduce thenumber of calories consumed.

Eat slowly and enjoy your meal.

A well-known rule that is not always followed. Don't try toeat your food quickly. Learn to savour each bite. Try to focus on a differentaspect of the meal every few minutes. Extend the time you spend eating.

Enjoy celebratory meals.

Choose one or two foods that are special to you, typical ofthis holiday season or your family, and take the time to savour them. Itdoesn't hurt to treat yourself to something special once a year.

Choose your drinks wisely.

Many holiday alcoholic and soft drinks are high in sugar.Try water or tea instead, and save the calories for foods you enjoy.

Listen to your body.

Pay attention to how you feel when you eat. Eating until youfeel full does not mean eating until you feel sick. Choose to slow down andstop eating when you feel full. Feel free to wait a few minutes to see how youfeel before finishing your plate or having a second helping.

Repeat these affirmations to yourself.

If you're tempted to keep eating because the holiday food isso special and delicious, repeat these affirmations to help you eat less:

I can always have this meal again.

What I don't eat today will be delicious tomorrow.

I look forward to the same goodness next year.

We hope that some of our tips will help you to get throughthe festive season in good health.