Christmas is but two weeks away – hooray! Though, as much as I’m looking forward to the festive season, I just can’t fight the niggly feeling that along with pressies, carols, and Christmas cheer, comes a ridiculous amount of food. And not much time for exercise. A recipe for disaster, really.

Unless you’re smart about how you’re eating, that is. Knowing all too well that silly season is full of temptation when it comes to food and alcohol, leading naturopath Victoria O’Sullivan recommends basing your food choices on the 90/10 rule (developed by dietitian Joy Bauer). “Guide your food choices with the 90/10 rule, where 90 per cent of your diet is focused on high quality, nutritionally dense foods and 10 per cent is reserved for treats,” O’Sullivan advises. “Deprivation and fanatical food rules often lead to binge eating the very foods we are trying to avoid.”

So if we break it down, if you eat three meals a day, it works out to 21 meals a week. And if you’re going to be treating yourself for 10 per cent of your meals, that’s about two meals a week you get to indulge and enjoy the foods that are a little bit naughty – perfect for the holiday season.

But while this eating plan is quite flexible, there are a few things you should remember to take into account during your festive season meal times:
1. If you’ve got a few dinner parties to attend, spread out your 10 per cent throughout the week. This means eating healthily for majority of each meal and enjoying a little bit of dessert each night.
2. If you choose to use your 10 per cent for one or two full meals, be aware of portion sizes. Just because you get to treat yourself doesn’t mean it’s an all-you-can-eat sort of deal.
3. Whatever you’re eating, stop when you’re full. Try not to get to that need-to-unbutton-your-pants stage – regardless if it’s a healthy choice or not!

For more information about Victoria O’Sullivan, click here

Do you have any tips for avoiding weight gain over Christmas and the new year? What do you think of the 90/10 rule?
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