3 Common Mistakes NOT to Make During the Holiday Season

by | Dec 13, 2017 | Nutrition, Wellness

By Nutritionist: Kelly Carter BASc (Hons), CNP

Did you know that the average person gains 70% of the weight they will gain all year in the next month?

For some reason most of us will switch to a completely different mindset when attending holiday events. We tend to use the holidays as an excuse to overeat and indulge in foods that we would not normally consume on a daily basis.

Now this is not to say that you should never indulge during festive times. Being able to control your “natural intake” on a daily basis will be the determining factor in your holiday success.

Here are 3 simple typical habits that contribute to weight gain. AVOID making these 3 mistakes and it can help you AVOID gaining the extra weight over the holidays.

Here are 3 reasons why you gain weight over the holidays:

1. Skipping breakfast

Many people think that skipping a meal will help to save up their calories for the night ahead, but this is not the way to do it! Studies have shown that our metabolism is fired up from the time we wake up, until around 2pm and then it slows down.

If you consume the majority of your calories in the evening, they will most likely be stored as fat – especially if you have not exercised that day!

2. Showing up to an event or dinner STARVING

If you get to a holiday party or family dinner and you are already starving, you are more likely to overeat and consume more calories and energy than your body needs at that time. These extra calories and energy will just be stored as fuel for later (fat stores).

3. You keep eating when you are no longer HUNGRY

This can be really tricky when many of our favourite foods are in front of us and served buffet style which makes it easy to keep going back for more! It’s also hard to turn down Aunt Sue’s delicious home baked apple pie, even though you are already full!

Read more on 5 Tips to Prevent Overeating and be sure to check out our blog with our TOP 6 TIPS to control your calorie intake this holiday season.