It’s that time of year when you’ll be eating and slacking off. The abundance of food during the 15-day celebration makes it all too easy to succumb to overeating, especially when hopping from house to house during visits. Here are some simple tips to enjoy the holidays and be healthy while keeping weight gains in check.
1. Watch your portions
Instead of overindulging in every dish, savor smaller portions of your favorite CNY delicacies. Set a limit on the amount of CNY goodies that you will have for the day. Avoid eating out of the bag or container as you are likely to overeat. Take some out, put it in a bowl, and stop after you have finished your portion.
2. Eat selectively
During reunion dinners, allow yourself to have foods that you really enjoy but in moderation. Look for lean sources of protein such as grilled fish, lean meats, or vegetarian sources such as tofu, and go easy on high-calorie sauces and gravies. And watch your ‘liquid calories’ during festive gatherings that can rack up a lot of calories. Always opt for plain water to help you stay hydrated.
3. Take it slow
By slowing down and savoring every bite, you’ll not only enjoy your food more but you’ll also be less likely to overeat. Chewing your food thoroughly helps ease the digestion process, and also allows you to enjoy your meal to the fullest.
4. Know what you eat
Before you reach for your 8th shrimp roll, you might want to consider how many calories it contains. For instance, a bowl of white rice has about 200 calories. This equates to about four pieces of pineapple tarts, a slice of bak kwa, one piece of Nian gao fritters or about four pieces of love letters!
Enjoy your Chinese New Year celebrations while staying healthy! Focus on balanced meals and moderate indulgence in festive treats to keep your body energized and active throughout the festivities.