LAST week, I wrote about how to try and maintain your health this Christmas season. This week, I want to inform you about where the sabotage is with the food this season. As we all know, we Filipinos love to party this Christmas. A lot of us, inevitably despite our best intentions, gain weight that we need to lose in a jiffy for the summer. What type of food do we have to watch out for this Christmas?
Sugar, alcoholic drinks
Alcohol in itself contains nine calories per gram. But what most people do not know is that when it enters our bloodstream, alcohol needs to be synthesized first by the liver. This phenomenon increases the absorption and metabolism of calories from the other food we eat, causing even more weight gain in the process. A single sugary cocktail can sometimes contain up to 350 calories per drink.
Food with sauces
“What’s in the sauce,” you might ask? The sauce can sometimes contain all the fat drippings from the food that was cooked. We, Filipinos, love pouring that sauce over our hot rice. Each gram of fat has nine calories. Now, fat in itself isn’t necessarily bad, but anything in excess is never good. Plus, sauce isn’t that filling to start with, so there’s that tendency to eat a lot of it to get satisfied. Don’t be fooled.
Don’t let the drinks pile up
Coffee shops are selling planners these days and easily, we get to drink a lot. Be mindful of the calories you’re getting not just from those cold, tasty drinks but also from the softdrinks, juices, fruit shakes etc. that will be served this season in different parties.
What are good eating habits this season? Well, for one you have to stock up on healthier food at home. Make sure that most of the beverage you partake of is water. Have a great Christmas season, everybody!