Christmas on a diet? Don’t be alarmed. These handy little tips are designed to help you stay on track AND make it a Christmas to remember. With a delicious on-plan recipe, tips for healthy swaps and the one-to-one support of your Consultant, there’s no reason you have to miss out on the festivities.
Right, let’s tuck in…
11 Ways to Stay On Track This Christmas Without Missing Out
The Planning
1. Get festive with menu planning! Think yummy low-fat foods and healthy ways of cooking. Check out the rest of our blog for some inspiration, or scroll down to the bottom of this article for a seriously yummy recipe!
The Shopping
2. Shop mindfully. Even if they’re tempting, steer clear of special deals on high-calorie goodies.
3. Peek at the labels – lots of Christmas treats can sneak in extra fat and calories.
The Main Event
4. Keep only what you truly need in your fridge and cupboard.
5. Enjoy plenty of fresh veggies – healthy and filling, they’re crunchy bites of goodness!
6. And always remember, it’s perfectly fine to say “no, thank you.” Your choices are important, and asserting yourself is a wonderful form of self-care.
The Snacks
7. Swap nuts and crackers for fava beans – they’re a great snack alternative at less than 100kcals per serve.
8. Fancy something sweet? Treat yourself to some Caramel Bites – they’re heavenly!
The Drinks
9. Stay hydrated – make sure you’re sipping 2.5 litres a day. And guess what? Hot black tea or coffee can chip in too. Not only will it help to keep hunger at bay, but it also keeps you hydrated. Double win!
10. Watch out for liquid calories. Alcohol can be packed with calories. Try experimenting with the water flavourings to create festive mocktails. We’ve got five sweet flavours to choose from.
Ask for Support
11. And finally, if you have any worries, or are just looking for a little motivation, reach out to your Consultant; they’re there to support you and can offer guidance on flexing your Plan to suit you.
Thai Prawn Skewers
Here’s another sizzling recipe that would taste amazing served with our Thai Green Style Curry with Noodles (for Step 3 and above).
Use fresh or frozen raw prawns for this dish. It’s a good idea to keep a packet in the freezer – they defrost quite quickly at room temperature and will taste much better than ready-cooked prawns.
Alone this diet friendly recipe is just right if you’re on Step 2! This super-simple dish is ready in less than 20 minutes, making it perfect for craving something a little more decadent this Christmas. So go on, enjoy!
Good to know:
- Prep time: 12 Minutes
- Cook time: 5 Minutes
- Calories: 200 kcal per serving
- Steps: 2
Ingredients:
Prawn skewers and bean sprout salad:
- 300g peeled raw tiger prawns
- 60g bean sprouts
- ¼ small cucumber, cut into matchstick strips
- 1 green or yellow pepper, deseeded and thinly sliced
- 3 spring onions, chopped
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander
Marinade and dressing:
- 1 red chilli, cut into thin shreds
- 1 tsp grated fresh root ginger
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 2 tbsp Thai fish sauce
- Juice of 1 lime
- Artificial sweetener, to taste
Method:
- Mix all the marinade ingredients in a small bowl.
- Thread the prawns on to 4 wooden or bamboo skewers that have been pre-soaked in water and arrange them in a foil-lined grill pan. Brush lightly with some of the marinade.
- Cook the prawn skewers under a preheated hot grill for 4–5 minutes, turning them halfway through, until they are pink all over. Don’t overcook or they will be dry – they should be juicy.
- In a bowl, mix together the bean sprouts, cucumber, green or yellow pepper, spring onions and coriander. Toss gently in the remaining marinade until lightly coated.
- Serve the hot prawn skewers with the salad.
Loving this festive inspo? Then make sure you check out the many other recipes and recipe hacks on our blog.
