Once the “Ber” months hit, the Christmas festivities begin in the Philippines. Along with the festivities come the expanding waistlines, the hunger that goes with being stuck in traffic. How does one stay healthier during this hectic season? Here are a few tips to help you have a healthier Christmas season.

• Keep healthy snacks handy. During the hustle and bustle of the season, it’s easy to forget that it is time to eat. Having handy, healthy snacks with you will help you stave off the cravings that are associated with going hungry. If you let yourself get hungry, chances are you will look for the usual unhealthy, comfort food. Good snack options include fruits that don’t need tools to eat. An apple or a banana in the bag might just save you from choosing bad food as hunger creeps in.
• Water, water, water. The Christmas season is associated with rich food. If you do choose to cheat by eating rich food, then it would be best to be smart about what you drink. Choose water over sugary drinks any day. This cuts unnecessary empty calories from your daily consumption in such a simple way.
• Party with loved ones, not with food. Always ask yourself why you are  attending to a certain Christmas party. More often than not, it isn’t for the food being served but for the company of the people there. Be smart about the parties. Don’t binge at every chance you have and choose what to eat carefully.
• Eat beforehand. In relation to the previous tip, if your party is all about catching up with friends, then it won’t hurt to eat beforehand in order to have more self-control when you get to the party. Eating beforehand, either a full meal or a heavy snack, will also help you make better choices once faced with a buffet of various rich food.
• Know your body’s worth. At the end of the day, know what your body is worth and know what YOU are worth. Your body doesn’t deserve to be trashed with empty calories and bad ingredients. Before you put that piece of fast food chicken in your mouth, think of what it’ll do to your health and weigh what other healthier alternative you have (ex: making your own fried chicken at home without reused oil or artificial ingredients.) Bottom line is: if you value your health and your body, you can choose not to trash it by eating bad.