Have you noticed that it's always around this time of year that we get sick? Especially after Christmas Day? Many people attribute it to the cold weather, drafts, or not being dressed warmly enough, but have you considered that it might be because of what we eat?
This is a time prone to dietary excesses, whether it's the consumption of sweets, alcohol, meat, or processed foods, and this type of diet has an impact on our health.
This doesn't mean you should refuse all Christmas dinners, but how about, while you indulge, trying to find mechanisms and ways to stay healthy?
1. Drink plenty of water: to compensate for the dehydration caused by excessive alcohol consumption, you can increase your fluid intake by drinking water, teas, or infusions throughout the day.
2. Try to find healthy alternatives to Christmas sweets: an example of this are our Rabanadas, which are made with coconut sugar and can be gluten-free. There are other healthier alternatives on the market as well, free from harmful ingredients, that can still decorate the Christmas table and give that wonderful flavor to the feast. Or you can always make one of our recipes for cookies or pears with almond caramel.
3. Reduce meat consumption: what if, instead of cod, you served a tofulhau? Or change the portions on your plate, using only 15% meat and the rest vegetables and grains? You can even invent different side dishes. You have plenty of ideas in our book.
4. Maintain physical exercise: feeling lazy at this time of year? We all do. Do you feel like staying on the sofa in front of the fireplace? Yes. But think of exercise as a way to earn that extra glass of wine or that bit of rice pudding. If you maintain or increase your physical activity during this time, your body will thank you, and so will your mind, since exercise increases our sense of well-being and happiness.
5. Reduce alcohol consumption: "And if Joana wants to be part of the crowd, she DOES NOT have to drink that glass to the end." Choose the moments when you really want to have that glass of wine and the moments you can do without it.
And if at the end of the day none of this works, we'll be waiting for you in January with one of our Reset Programs. :P
