Tips to avoid overeating during Tet (Vietnamese New Year)

Tet is a time for family reunions and meeting friends. When everyone is happy and there's plenty of food and drink, it's easy to overeat. If you're not careful, you could gain a few pounds after these joyful days.

Here are some simple tips to help you enjoy the Lunar New Year without overeating.

Choose healthier foods.

Eating during Tet (Vietnamese New Year) doesn't necessarily mean consuming unhealthy foods. Limit or avoid highly processed foods like ham, bacon, sausages, candy, and pastries.

Choose foods rich in lean protein such as chicken, beef, lean pork, shrimp, tofu, and beans, according to the health website HealthXchange.

The New Year is a time to meet family and friends. When everyone is happy and there's plenty of food and drink, it's easy to overeat.

Eat plenty of fiber.

It's important to maintain a daily intake of two servings of fruit and two servings of vegetables.

Even during the Lunar New Year holiday, ensure your meals consist of 1/2 vegetables and fruits, 1/4 carbohydrates (choose whole grains), and 1/4 protein (try plant-based proteins such as beans, tofu, and nuts) or lean meats, eggs, and low-fat dairy. Consuming plenty of fiber is beneficial for gut health and overall well-being, and helps you feel fuller for longer, reducing cravings for snacks.

Reduce your fat intake.

Cakes, cookies, fatty meats, and ice cream are popular foods during holidays and festivals.

It's impossible to completely avoid these foods during Tet, but moderation is key. Try to avoid them as much as possible; for example, remove the fat from meat and skip sugary drinks.

Drinking water is the best option.

Limit sugary drinks and alcohol. Water or tea is best. If you must drink something sweet, choose a low-calorie option. Remember, alcohol also contains calories, so if you must drink, do so in moderation.

Eat more slowly

It takes the brain about 20 minutes to send the satiety signal before you even realize it.

Therefore, eat slowly and take extra time to pay attention to what you are eating and how much food you have consumed. A simple tip is to chew each bite of food 15-30 times. This will give your body time to signal to your brain that you have eaten enough.

Additionally, if you happen to eat more than usual, try to exercise such as brisk walking or light jogging.

Exercise more

Additionally, if you happen to eat more than usual, try to exercise such as brisk walking or light jogging.

Portion control

Paying attention to your eating habits can be difficult during the Lunar New Year. A simple tip is to eat from smaller plates or bowls. This will make it easier to keep track of your food intake.

Don't skip meals.

This will make you feel hungrier, leading you to overeat at your next meal. Furthermore, when hungry, some people are more likely to consume unhealthy, high-calorie foods than healthy ones.

Choose a healthier menu.

According to HealthXchange, choose healthier foods, ingredients, and cooking methods such as boiling and steaming to reduce the amount of fat in your dishes.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/meo-de-tranh-an-qua-nhieu-trong-dip-tet-185250124195325989.htm