Have a healthy holiday season

Tips and tricks to keep healthy during the festive season.

HEALTHY CHRISTMAS: Stay healthy and fit this Christmas. Picture: Contributed

THE festive season is upon us and it's a wonderful time of year with cheer and gratitude in abundance.

End-of-year festivities may make it seem difficult to finish your 2018 health goals, but it doesn't have to be. CCQ CEO Chris McMillan said it only takes a few small changes for Queenslanders to have a healthier festive season.

"We know that one-third of all cancer cases are preventable through healthy lifestyle choices,” Ms McMillan said.

"By being mindful when it comes to eating, thinking about healthy alternatives, and opting for balance and moderation, we can all enjoy the holidays the healthy way and reduce our cancer risk.”

CCQ suggests a few festive feasting and fail-safe tips to get Queenslanders kick-started on a healthy countdown to Christmas:

Manage your portions. One of the ways to avoid overeating at holiday celebrations is to focus on your portion sizes and fill most of your plate with yummy salads and a small serve of protein. Also, if everyone is bringing a plate, opt for a dish that incorporates fruit or vegetables.

Take care in the heat. Remember to stay hydrated by drinking lots of water, and stay SunSmart when outdoors. Also, a good tip to avoid over-eating is having a glass of water 15 minutes before each meal.

Limit sugary drinks and alcoholic beverages. An easy way to reduce your kilojoule intake and reduce your cancer risk is to swap out sugary drinks and alcohol for water. If you're chasing flavour, infuse fruit or herbs into your water, or freeze ice cubes with fruit.

Get moving. Schedule in a minimum of one hour of moderate activity or 30 minutes of vigorous activity into every day - you'll feel healthier and more energised! Exercising doesn't have to be complex; it can be as simple as walking the dog, having a game of backyard cricket, dancing to your favourite holiday music.

Focus on fun. The festive season is all about spending time with your family and loved ones, so shift the focus from indulging on food, to indulging on good family time. One way to make this a little easier is to give healthy presents. Consider sports equipmentor healthy cookbooks.