THE EXPERTS say that the average person may consume as much as 7,000 calories on Christmas day alone and gain five pounds of weight over the festive period. It takes just 3,500 extra calories to put on a pound in weight. And it's not just Christmas day itself thanks to office parties, drinks with neighbours, and get-togethers with friends and family, the traditional 12 days of calorie-cramming Christmas now extend from early December right through to January. 'A moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips' is never truer than at Christmas when you're faced with a constant bombardment of enticing food.
One weight loss survey revealed that 34 per cent of people plan to lose weight for the New Year, making it the second most popular resolution.
CONSEQUENCES OF WEIGHT GAIN
Jamaican women and men are among the fattest people on planet earth, according to the World Health Organisation. We are the leaders of the worldwide 'globesity' epidemic.
Obesity is known to put people at higher risk of other serious health problems, including heart and circulatory disease, arthritis, gall bladder and kidney disease, and cancers of the breast, colon, uterus, oesophagus and kidneys. A recent medical journal lists over 130 medical conditions related to obesity.
EIGHT WEIGHT LOSS TIPS
Add to this the social stigma, psychological distress and economic discrimination often suffered by the obese, and the costs are monumental in terms of both health and quality of life. We Jamaicans need to approach the obesity issue with as much concern as has been given to the cigarette problem. Let us plan for a healthy Christmas and new year:
Make the decision to not gain weight this holiday season. Your very commitment and awareness is vital.
Have a healthy breakfast every day of the holidays. Breakfast sets up your day. Most overweight people do not have breakfast. I recommend a soy protein shake drink, herbal tea and fruit.
Do not go to any holiday function hungry. Eat a health snack before going to that party. Prepackaged protein snacks and fruit or vegetables are ideal.
Drink eight or more glasses of water every day during the holidays. Use water and herbal teas (cold or hot) as much as possible to replace sweet drinks, sodas and alcoholic beverages. A glass of white wine is almost 200 calories.
Be wary of party snacks. It may not seem like a lot but over a few days it soon adds up. It's easily done check out these numbers. A portion of chips has 100 calories, a handful of mixed nuts has 250, six assorted chocolates have about 275 and a slice of Christmas pudding with cream a whopping 340 calories. We nibble on these foods between meals but they do not send signals of satisfaction to the brain, so we overeat and pack on the pounds.
Eat fewer carbohydrates. For each meal, have your protein and vegetables fill most of your plate. Minimise your intake of breads, rice, other starches and sweets
Have a high quality anti-oxidant rich multivitamin tablet with each meal during the holidays. Consider taking natural appetite suppressant supplements (available as tablets or teas) if you struggle with controlling your eating.
Do half an hour or more exercise every day of the holidays: dancing, walking, jogging, skipping or swimming are great choices. I again take this opportunity to thank you my readers for the opportunity of serving you during 2004 and send you much Love and Blessings for Christmas and the New Year.
You may email Dr. Vendryes at Vendryes@mac.com or listen to 'An Ounce of Prevention' on POWER106FM on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m.
