HEALTH + WELLNESS
Healthy Indulgence
IT ’ S FAST APPROACHING THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN : SNACKS GALORE , ENDLESS AMOUNTS OF TEMPTING TABLE CHOCOLATES , CRISPS AND GOODIES . NOT LEAST DRINKING IN THE DAY BECOMING THE NEW NORMAL AND EVERY NIGHT ENDING WITH ‘ JUST ONE MORE ’ GLASS OF BAILEYS . MOST OF US ARE GUILTY OF OVERINDULGING OVER THE FESTIVE PERIOD AND OFTEN WE FEEL GUILTY BECAUSE OF IT , MOST LIKELY DUE TO THE DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS THAT OVERINDULGING HAS ON OUR HEALTH . SO , IS IT POSSIBLE TO INDULGE HEALTHILY ? THE ANSWER IS YES . WE ’ VE COMPILED A SHARING PLATTER OF OUR MOST USEFUL TIPS ON HOW YOU CAN STILL MAKE THE MOST OF CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR WITHOUT COMPLETELY FALLING OFF THE BANDWAGON . THINK MODERATION , HYDRATION , EXERCISE AND HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES – ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE IF YOU ’ RE WILLING TO TRY ...
Know your limits
Knowing your limits is the key to not overindulging in whatever celebratory situation whether that involves food or alcohol consumption . Did you know that a large glass of red ( 250ml ) has the same amount of calories as a slice of cake ? That night spent at the work Christmas party is essentially the same as demolishing an entire chocolate cake at home . The NHS encourages both men and women not to consume more than 14 units of alcohol per week and highly recommend a regular break in between drinking sessions .
‘ While it ’ s important to treat yourself , over indulging on rich foods and alcohol can ultimately leave you feeling fatigued , heavy and may even cause indigestion ,’ says Abbas Kanani , pharmacist at Chemist Click . Ultimately , as Abbas confirms , we need to pace ourselves . If it ’ s bubbles , be wary of the alcohol content and of course the impending hangover . If it ’ s spirits , stick to singles , don ’ t mix and wait until the glass is empty before getting another .
Consider alternatives – non- or lowalcoholic beverages and soft drinks taste great and there are so many available on the market . Take Seedlip ’ s award-winning nonalcoholic spirits for example , it ’ s a beautifully packaged , great tasting alternative to gin and tonic and we guarantee you ’ ll get to the bottom of the glass without realising there ’ s no alcohol in it . As for food , try to limit portion sizes as much as possible , and stick to some form of routine – snacking outside of mealtimes is a slippery slope to weight gain . Be mindful of what you ’ re putting in and your body will be sure to thank you .
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