Holidays are often synonymous with weight gain, if research is anything to go by.
Take an American study published in Physiology & Behavior in 2016, for example. It showed that adults who took a one- to three-week vacation gained a “significant” amount of weight – 0.32 kilograms – and this weight stuck around, at least when the researchers followed up six weeks post-vacation.
One surprising finding was that participants’ physical activity levels rose while holidaying, suggesting diet was to blame for the kilo creep.
Most of us love a holiday and loathe unwanted weight gain, so consider these tips to keep the bulge at bay:
- Say ‘no’ with confidence
“Nobody can make you feel bad about saying ‘no thank you’ to dessert or extra servings of turkey and gravy or pudding,” says Accredited Practising Dietitian Georgie Rist. “Practice saying ‘no thanks’ and feeling comfortable with your decisions.” - Watch your portions and practise the 20-minute rule
“Your stomach is the size of your fist, so wait 20 minutes to allow your brain to register you are full,” says Ms Rist. She also recommends eating slowly: “Chew your food at least 25 times.” - Keep up your fluids
Ms Rist recommends drinking an adequate amount of water every day, increasing your intake when you are physically active or nursing a hangover. - Fill up on fruit and veg
Satisfy hunger with fruits and vegetables, which are relatively low in kilojoules, recommends US-based academic medical centre Cleveland Clinic. “When compared to other snack foods like chips, crackers and cookies, gram for gram, fruits and vegetables contain fewer [kilojoules] and tons more nutrients,” it states. - Plan ahead
Avoid attending functions on an empty stomach, warns Cleveland Clinic. The risk of splurging on all the delicious offerings is too high. Rather, the clinic suggests having a healthy snack before you go. - Try the one-a-day method
This involves allowing yourself one small treat every day of your holiday, explains Cleveland Clinic. “Remember that you may have to compensate for it later in the day by reducing your total [kilojoule] intake or by burning a few extra [kilojoules] while exercising.” - Offer to contribute a dish
When going to a party, Ms Rist recommends taking a healthy dessert. Try berries and yoghurt with cocoa nibs or homemade raw chocolate balls, she suggests. - Get adequate sleep and plenty of exercise
“Whether is it a yoga practice, walk, run, weight session or spin class, keep active throughout the holiday period,” says Ms Rist.
Putting these tips into practice will hopefully mean a guilt-free end to your holiday.