The Christmas season is fast approaching, and with it the endless canapés, buffet tables and three course meals, not to mention the booze. You don’t even have to wait until Christmas proper to start bursting out of that little black dress or sharp suit.
So how to best navigate the office parties and without piling on the extra pounds? Surprisingly the first and most important rule is to never go to a party on an empty stomach. You will not be able to make any sensible decisions about what and how much to eat when your tummy is rumbling and your nose is fine tuned to notice all the tantalising smells wafting from the trays of canapés being proffered to you.
In addition to getting your hair sorted, having a little snack should therefore be part of your getting ready routine. The snack should include some protein to keep the hunger at bay for longer. If you are in a hurry, have some natural yoghurt with muesli. Or if you have more time, go for a boiled egg with rye toast soldiers.
At the party, avoid any deep fried canapés such as mini spring rolls and samosas, and go for the ones that include some protein. Look out for chicken satay sticks or cocktail sausages. They are simple, but will fill you up more quickly and keep you going for longer. If you can’t help picking on something see if there are some olives being offered. The fat they contain is actually good for you, and will not go straight to your hips.
The traditional Christmas meal actually has lots of vegetables, so don’t be shy and pile on the brussels sprouts and parsnips. Turkey is a fairly low fat meat, but it’s the little sausages wrapped in bacon that you should be wary of.
And just a gentle warning on the alcohol side. Match each glass of wine with a glass of water and you’ll feel much better the next day. And if you do end up over indulging a bit, don’t panic – there’s always the New Year to get back on track!
