Are you hitting the shops this weekend? Love it, or hate it, Christmas shopping can deplete even the most avid shopper. If you have made your list and are ready to brave the town centre, then here is my Christmas shopping survival guide...
PROTEIN - Eat a protein-based breakfast to help keep your energy sustained and your stress levels in check. Protein helps support a healthy blood sugar balance, so adding a little extra to your breakfast will help to stave off that mid-shop sugar crash that can leave you feeling fatigued, resulting in you craving mince pies and overdosing on sweeties to keep you going. Start your day with a protein-based breakfast like natural yoghurt with low sugar granola and berries, add some milled flaxseed to your porridge or whip up an omelette or some scrambled eggs and you’ll be right back on Santa’s nice list.
KEEP HYDRATED - Overheated shops and cosy Christmas jumpers can make you get a sweat on. Carry a little bottle of water with you to keep your hydration levels up. The first sign of dehydration is fatigue, so this should help you feel a little more energised.
TAKE A BREAK - Be sure to stop for a coffee break. Choose a green tea, Americano or flat white to give you a little boost, but don’t be tempted by the sugar-laden gingerbread or sticky toffee latte Christmas specials. One cuppa of those has around 400kcals and 35g sugar – that’s a whopping nine teaspoonfuls in a medium drink, and that’s without the accompanying mince pie or shortbread. Support local independent coffee shops and you are more likely to find healthier little snacks like energy balls or flapjacks to have with your cuppa.
“Carry a little bottle of water with you to keep your hydration levels up. The first sign of dehydration is fatigue, so this should help you feel a little more energised
CHILL - Take the weight off your feet and watch the world go by for a little while. We are all in such a rush at this time of year. Give yourself a break. Find a comfy seat and soak up the festive spirit for a few mindful moments. Remember that Christmas shopping is meant to be fun.
MAKE IT SPECIAL - Keep your Christmas costs down by adding a few items to your list to make something for friends and family. Most people love getting something that has been homemade and it doesn’t have to take a lot of time or effort. Just make it look pretty and they will love it. Here are a couple of my favourites that are really quick and easy to make:
- Mulled berries. Simply put a bag of frozen berries, a dash of honey and some Christmas spices like cinnamon and nutmeg into a saucepan and heat over a gentle heat until all the flavours have infused. Leave to cool and put into jars. You can make this even more simple by adding a mulled wine spice sachet instead of the individual spices – just remember to remove the sachet before you gift the berries.
- Christmas bark. Simply melt some really dark chocolate (70-85% cocoa) and spread it onto a baking sheet that you have lined with baking paper. Sprinkle some chopped nuts, dried fruit (goji berries and cranberries with chopped pistachos look suitably seasonal), a little orange zest and a few cacao nibs for a real antioxidant hit and a little extra magnesium. Pop into the fridge until the chocolate has set. Then snap into shards and gift as an after-dinner treat if you are visiting friends or family over the festive season.
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