First a piece of Christmas stollen, then a Christmas wreath, another glass of wine and before you know it you are on day three of the holidays with regrets and too-tight pants. How do you prevent pleasant dining from turning into mindless eating? According to dietitian Sandra Somers, it all starts with good preparation.
For many Brabanders, the holidays are synonymous with extensive dining. Cozy, Burgundian and above all: lots of food and drinks. But it is precisely this abundance that makes it difficult to keep track, says dietitian Sandra Somers. “It helps if you prepare. Think in advance: what do I really think is worth eating?”
Lucky fabrics
According to Somers, things often go wrong with tables full of snacks. “Then it kind of happens to you. Food keeps appearing in front of you and before you know it you’ve already eaten everything.” Each bite also provides happiness substances, making it difficult to stop.
By thinking in advance about what you really like, you are stronger. “If you know that your in-laws always have a delicious Christmas loaf, you can decide: I’ll go for that and leave the rest.”
A sausage roll for lunch
The eating pace also plays a role. Eating quickly makes you eat more, because it takes a while for the brain and stomach to realize that you are full.
Somers advises against skipping breakfast or lunch: “Then you start with a tasty appetite. In the afternoon, a sausage roll with, for example, tomato or vegetable soup is a good idea. This way you get enough fiber and protein.” Anyone who starts their Christmas dinner satiated eats less mindlessly.
Christmas commercials
According to Somers, that feeling of mindless eating is also fueled by everything we see and hear in the run-up to Christmas. “Your systems are turned on. Everywhere you see advertisements with texts such as: ‘you deserve it’. This gives you the idea that participating is normal, and that you are not doing well if you don’t participate.”
And what if that one mother-in-law keeps insisting? “That’s a challenge,” says Somers, laughing. “But if you are prepared, it helps. For example, you can say: I want that cake. Ultimately, you are the boss of what you eat.”