5 Tips on How to Stay Fit and Healthy During the Christmas Season (+ low sugar Christmas cookies recipe)

Just because we’re now in the Christmas season doesn’t mean you have to put aside your health and fitness goals. Nor does it mean you have to miss out on the fantastic food and sweet treats we all associate with this time of year. To make the most of this Christmas without feeling like you have to compromise health; we’ve come up with five tips to ensure you’re #kickinggoals straight into the new year!

We’re also excited to welcome back our foodie and nutritionist friend, Liv Kaplan, who has kindly included a low sugar Christmas cookies recipe. These Christmas Jewel Studded Cookies may taste naughty, but they’re delectably nice.

Tip 1: Keep your cupboards stocked with healthy options

In the lead up to Christmas – and as a general rule – we recommend keeping your pantry and fridge stocked with plenty of healthy whole foods. This means you have abundant options to curb any craving; giving you every opportunity to make healthy choices when fueling your body. Not to mention, there’s only one thing more satisfying than a fully stocked fridge, and that’s a fully stocked and organised fridge – which is something our Basics Range can help you with.

Tip 2: Keep hydrated

While a summer Christmas indefinitely means endless hours of outdoor fun, it’s also important to remember to remain hydrated! Get into the habit of starting your day with a glass of water and with every meal. Whilst attending any Christmas parties, be sure to split up any alcoholic drinks with some water as well. To help you get in the habit of drinking more water, it may even be worthwhile keeping a large drink bottle close by.

Tip 3: Include daily walks

Stretch your legs and clear your mind with a daily walk. A 30-minute walk each day is not only great for your physical health but also your mental well-being. All the planning associated with Christmas can make it quite a stressful time of year. Therefore, incorporating a daily walk will allow you to take a step back from the everyday craziness and just enjoy the moment.

Tip 4: Mix up your advent calendar

Who doesn’t love the excitement of counting down to Christmas day with an advent calendar? Well, just because you’re maintaining a healthy lifestyle, doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the festivities of this activity. Nowadays you can find all different kinds of calendars to enjoy beyond your usual milk chocolate options. Whether it be a sneaky dark chocolate calendar, a calendar filled with tea, or one which includes your favourite beauty and skincare products, there are loads of different alternatives.

Tip 5: Treat yourself with healthy alternatives

You can still enjoy plenty of sweet Christmas cookies and treats while being healthy by simply cooking up some alternatives! Don’t be afraid to get creative in the kitchen with the help of our Gadgets Range and try out some new clean versions of the desserts you love.

Get started by creating some mouth-watering cookies, such as these Christmas Jewel Studded Cookies by Liv Kaplan. These delicious chewy cookies are a plant-based version of Liv’s magic cookie dough, spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg and topped with a lush layer of chocolate; they taste just as good as they look.

 

Christmas Jewel Studded Cookies

Serves: 6

Prep time: 25 minutes

Cook time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

1 tbsp ground flaxseed

½ cup almond butter

1 tsp baking powder

⅛ tsp salt

1 tbsp erythritol (coconut sugar will also work)

2 tsp cinnamon

¼ tsp nutmeg

50g dark chocolate (85-90%)

1 tbsp goji berries

1 tbsp pistachios

2 tsp chia seeds

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC and line a baking tray with baking paper.
2. In a small bowl, make a flax egg by combining the flaxseed with 30ml of water and allow to sit for 2 minutes to thicken.
3. In a large bowl, combine the almond butter, baking powder, salt, erythritol, cinnamon and nutmeg.
4. Stir in the flax egg and mix until it forms a dough. This is best done with hands.
5. Shape into six cookies and bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes. Leave to cool completely before removing from the tray.
6. Melt the chocolate in a bowl sitting over a pot of gently simmering water, or in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring between each.
7. Spread over the cooled Christmas cookies and before it sets, sprinkle over pistachios, goji berries and chia seeds.