Start the New Year Healthy for a Fit Year Ahead!

A brand new year — one we hope will be even better than the last — is waiting for us! Of course, on this special day when we come together with our loved ones, family, and friends, delicious food will be right there alongside the cheerful conversation! Be careful not to get swept away by all that delicious food and overindulge! Here are our special tips to help you stay fit through New Year's Eve and keep you fit for the entire year ahead!

1) Watch Out for Appetizers!:

If you are hosting guests at your own home for New Year's, it's easy to take control of the kitchen and create healthy, delicious options! Raw vegetable strips served with hummus, avocado canapés, and lettuce cups with yogurt dressing can all be fit alternatives to decorate your table. However, if you're dining out, managing what's on the table may not be so straightforward. Since you'll be adding more calories as the night goes on, try to choose the most innocent options among the meze (small appetizer dishes) and salads wherever possible. Mayonnaise-heavy, high-fat meze or appetizers can cause both digestive issues and a spike in calorie intake. Opt for salads with plenty of greens and low-fat olive oil-dressed dishes whenever you can. If you're serving yourself salad on a separate plate, make sure it comes without dressing or oil. However, if the salad arrives at the table already dressed and oiled, you can avoid the heavier, sauced portions by taking from the top of the salad bowl. If soup is on the menu, you can start the meal with 1 ladle of a low-fat soup to aid digestion and healthily fill your stomach capacity.

2) While Enjoying the Main Course!:

Of course, the star dish of New Year's tables is the holiday turkey! When eating your turkey, try to stick to the leanest part — the breast — and make sure the meat you eat is skinless. Be careful not to overdo it with the meat! A portion roughly the size of your hand is plenty. Since the rice pilaf stuffing is typically prepared quite rich in fat, try not to exceed 3–4 tablespoons of it.

3) Beverages:

Since your carbohydrate and fat intake will already be elevated on New Year's Eve, try to keep your beverage choices as balanced as possible. Those who don't drink alcohol can opt for alternatives like sparkling water with lemon alongside their meal, while for those who do want a drink, 1–2 glasses of wine will be the best option. If you'd like to continue drinking a bit more, you can politely decline the desserts and fruit offered after the meal and allow yourself a little more to drink. If you're on the fence about whether to have another drink, add a splash of soda water to your glass. This way, you can stretch out the time it takes to finish your drink and decide whether you truly want that second glass.

4) Desserts, Fruits, and Nuts:

The nuts, desserts, and fruits offered toward the end of the evening may look incredibly tempting. However, if you want to enter the new year in shape, you need to strike a careful balance between them and absolutely turn down at least one. On New Year's Eve, you could add 10 pieces of nuts such as hazelnuts or almonds alongside 2 servings of fruit, or enjoy 1 serving of a milk-based dessert, or wrap up your evening with 1 thin slice of fresh cream cake (make sure to set aside the extra cream). Remember — the more you increase your calorie intake toward the end of the night, the harder it will be to avoid digestive problems and bloating.