HGLIVING
174 | AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN
THINK OUTSIDE THE
(CHOCOLATE) BOX
Sweets, wine or a tin of shortbread
make easy Christmas gifts but there
are other ways to treat people. Austin
ggests these alternatives:
a box of cherries
a bottle of extra-virgin olive oil
good balsamic vinegar
a jar of gourmet mustard
a box of fresh, unsalted nutsW
hat’s the secret
to navigating the
festive season without
pilingonthekilos?Well,agood
startistosaynotomincepies
inNovember.Justbecause
Christmas goodies are in the
shopsweeksinadvanceof
theeventdoesn’tmeanyouhave
toeatthemorofferthemto
others,saysSimoneAustin,a
spokesperson for the Dietitians
AssociationofAustralia.
“With a party season that
stretches from mid November
to mid January, we need some
strategies to keep healthy eating
on track and prevent extra
weight creeping on,” she says.
“Besides, you’ll enjoy these
festive foods much more if you
keep them as seasonal treats.”
Here are some further
strategies that can also help:
Have a planAs the diary fills
with end-of-year parties,
catch-ups and dinners, stay on
top of what’s happening
through the week. If you have
three dinners out with friends
scheduled, ensure meals on the
other days are lighter and
include plenty of vegetables,
says Austin.
Prepare well“Avoid arriving at a
party ravenous; eat some fruit ora salad beforehand. Be aware of
what you eat and pace yourself,”
she says. “If there are nibbles,
eat nuts rather than chips. Keep
portions small and if there’s a
selection of desserts on offer,
just enjoy one serve rather than
having a bit of each.” Remember
that the kilojoules in drinks
count too, so don’t let people
endlessly top up your glass.
Offer a lighter optionIf you’re
hosting a gathering, provide
salads and fruit for your guests.
“People sometimes feel like
party poopers if they refuse
cake, so it can be a relief to be
offered fresh raspberries or
poached pears for dessert,” says
Austin. “And keep the mineral
water flowing so there’s easy
access to non-alcoholic drinks.
That’s especially important
when the weather is hot.”
Bring your ownContributing to
the meal gives you some control
over the food at an event. Take a
colourful salad, roast vegetables
dusted with dukkah or a platter
of fresh summer fruit – everyone
will thank you for it.
Keep movingCatching up with
friendsdoesn’t have to be about
eating and drinking, says
Austin. “Take a walk together or
meet up for a swim.” # Illustrattion by Domenic Bahmann.‘You’ll enjoy festive foods much more
if you keep them as seasonal treats.’
Simone Austin, Dietitians Association of AustraliaHealth
Tasty temptations abound over
Christmas but there are simple
steps you can take to avoid kilo
creep, writesPaula Goodyer.
JOLLY GOOD